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No No,that’s all rubbish! Sushant “ wasn’t troubled in any way! – Mukesh Chhabra ” In a candid conversation with Sumita Chakraborty, Mukesh Chhabra, the king of casting and the director of the late Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film Dil Bechara, talks about Sushant and more.

Every actor knows Mukesh Chhabra… after all he is the king of casting in Bollywood. But more than that, he’s the one who discovered and cast the late Sushant Singh Rajput. Ironically, Mukesh’s directorial debut Dil Bechara was Sushant’s last film. Extremely close to Sushant, Mukesh is still in shock about Sushant’s untimely death. In a candid interview, Mukesh gives deep insights into his relationship with Sushant, working with him in his directorial debut and his profound shock on Sushant’s untimely death. Along with that, he shares some wonderful unfiltered pictures of him and Sushant. Read on… Sushant was so “ charming in his

Why did Dil Bechara take so long to release. I know cirauditions. ”

cumstances forced you to release it on the OTT platform but perhaps if it had been released earlier, it would have had a theatre release?

The film wasn’t ready earlier, then we decided to release it on May 8th, 2020 and the day was locked too. Then came the pandemic, so that’s why we released it online. We really just want everyone to watch it safely at this point.

Dil Bechara was Sushant’s last film... how was it working with Sushant?

Sushant was like a brother to me. We worked like we were a family. Not as actor-director but like two brothers having fun on the sets.

“Sushant was like a brother to me. We worked like we were a family. ”

“Sushant too kept pushing me to be a director and make

There are so many conflicting reports about Sushant’s last days and behaviour, my own films. ”

did you find Sushant troubled in any way?

No, that’s all rubbish!

Being so close to Sushant, his suicide must have devastated you, what kind of person was Sushant?

Of course, I’m still in disbelief about Su- shant’s death. Everyone knew the person he was, jolly and happy, creative and super talented. He always found joy in little things.

You discovered Sushant too as a cast- ing director, what was the x factor you found in him to make you cast him as a lead?

He was so charming in his auditions. His ‘X’ factor was his charm as well as him being a really good actor. It was an instant click.

What made you change course - from casting director to director?

During my process of casting, I really liked how I used to audition actors. I developed the interest to direct from casting itself. I probably voiced it to a few close friends. Sushant too kept pushing me to be a director and make my own films.

You’ve seen different sides of Bollywood, do you think the film industry is closed to outsiders and more receptive to star kids?

No!

Even in web-series, there is a constant demand for the lead to be a known face, isnt this biased towards outsiders?

We have not come across this, we have cast for so many web shows and cast actors that are absolutely new faces. I guess it depends on the show.

“I didn’t know what was going on with

Your lead heroine Sanjana Sanghi did a remarkable job in the film, how was it him, I only wish I did. ”

working with her?

I had a great experience working with Sanjana. She was always up for any challenge and kept surprising me every time.

Mukesh in all this, you must be hurting... is there something you feel you could have done for Sushant or would like to say to him? How are you coping with all this? It is a personal toll and you must be traumatised.

I didn’t know what was going on with him, I only wish I did.

What’s next for you? I haven’t decided as yet.