Rajkumar Hirani might be the director to bring home India’s next Oscar, according to well-known casting director Mukesh Chhabra.
India made history when Naatu Naatu, from SS Rajamouli’s film RRR, won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Though Rajamouli directed the film, the award went to the music team. This sparked the question: who in India could win an Oscar for Best Director?
Mukesh Chhabra, who has worked closely with many top filmmakers, believes that Rajkumar Hirani is the strongest candidate. In a recent interview, Chhabra praised Hirani’s storytelling, emotional depth, and universal appeal. He said, “Raju Sir’s stories connect with people across the world. If anyone can win the Best Director Oscar from India, it’s him.”
Chhabra has worked as a casting director on several of Hirani’s major films like PK and Sanju. He described Hirani as a “film school” in himself, known for his attention to detail and long casting processes to find the perfect actors for each role. He added that Hirani often waits years to find the right fit for a character.
Chhabra highlighted that Hirani’s films often include emotion, humour, and social messages that can touch hearts globally. He also said Hirani studies different cultures and societies before creating his stories, making his work relatable beyond Indian audiences.
However, Chhabra made it clear that this was only his personal opinion. He did not dismiss the talent of other Indian directors like SS Rajamouli, Sukumar, Pandiraj, Nitesh Tiwari, or Kiran Rao.
Chhabra also pointed out that winning an Oscar isn’t just about talent—it requires strategy, promotion, and a lot of money. He explained that massive marketing campaigns, networking, and lobbying are essential to impress the Academy voters. This, he said, was part of how Naatu Naatu won.
So while talent is key, promotion and investment also play a big role in winning the world’s most prestigious film award.
