Shah Rukh Khan’s recently released Jawan has been smashing records left, right, and centre. The film was hailed as a blockbuster by the audience the moment it hit the theaters on September 7, and well, we agree. We wouldn’t have expected anything less from an Atlee directorial with a cast that included not only the King of Bollywood but exceptional actors from across the nation. From Riddhi Dogra to Sanya Malhotra, watching each of these actors in the movie felt like they were meant to play their parts. Now the film’s casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who also happened to play a small role in the movie, revealed what went behind the casting process and we are stunned.
Recently, Mukesh had a conversation with Indian Express. From casting 165 actors to keeping the movie a secret, he spilled some juicy deets about the movie and you’ve got to check it out.
Film Had To Be Kept A Secret
“Exactly two years ago. I remember I was told that I have to work with Atlee, so I saw his south films. I had read the script and I knew the casting would be huge! For two years, I had to keep the story (of Jawan) strictly confidential, not talk to anyone at all about this. When you are excited over something, it is natural to be tempted to tell people that you have heard something fantastic– but here I had to keep mum! It was the same with a film like Dangal or Shah Rukh’s next, Dunki.”
A Pan-India Cast
“Jawan is a big film, so we had to also capture the pan-India feel. I thought let’s mix the casting with slightly known faces and add some new ones. Out of the six girls, Priyamani is known in Bollywood as well as South, Girija Oak is known in Marathi and Hindi cinema, Sanya Malhotra is a popular Bollywood actor, and then I found three new girls in Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Lehar Khan, Aaliyah Qureishi. There also had to be a surprise element, which was Sunil Grover.“
There Are Around 165 Actors In The Film
“In total, including small and big parts, it would be around 165 actors. But I am used to it since Gangs of Wasseypur days. I had done casting for 200 people in Dangal, big numbers in Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter and Dunki as well. So this feels normal to me. When I have to create an entire atmosphere, I get a kick. It feels thrilling and not something mammoth.“
Took More Than A Year To Lock The Cast
“More than a year. We had to find new people, and get everyone on board on given dates. We had to block them for more than 100 days so the coordination also takes a lot of time. All big films take time, again I mention the example of Dangal and Dunki, or PK and Sanju. Your work can’t be done within three months.“
Wow, no wonder the movie has turned into such a massive hit. Kudos to Mukesh for coming up with such a phenomenal cast for Jawan.
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