The talent hunter | 'Dhurandhar' casting director Mukesh Chhabra

This year, the Oscars finally acknowledged the creators who for long have deserved recognition—casting directors. “It took them nearly 98 years to do so,” says Mukesh Chhabra, the busiest casting director in Mumbai. In India, neither the National, Filmfare nor Screen awards currently recognise casting directors. Could Chhabra, with the sway he holds, get a category introduced and get his brethren the accolades they deserve? “The realisation will happen gradually,” he says. “Some award shows have already started recognising casting.”