India has a long history of storytelling that has captivated viewers all over the world. Its film industry is dynamic and productive. But even though the world loves it, the country still hasn’t reached a major goal: an Indian director has never won an Academy Award for Best Director or Best International Feature Film.
Indian films like Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001) have been nominated for the International Feature Film category. More recently, RRR (2022) caused a global uproar and won an Oscar for Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu”). However, India’s best filmmakers still haven’t won the prestigious golden statuette in a major competitive category for direction or international film.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, on the other hand, thinks that one filmmaker has the perfect mix of artistry and broad appeal to change this situation. Chhabra is known for his work on big-budget movies and his ability to find new talent. Chhabra told Faridoon Shahryar in a recent interview that he thinks the filmmaker has the right mix of passion, skill, and universality to finally end India’s Oscar drought and put Indian cinema in the winner’s circle.
“Raju Sir”: The One Who Will Bring Home the Oscar
Mukesh Chhabra didn’t hesitate when asked to pick a Bollywood director who he thinks can win an Oscar for India: “Raj Kumar Hirani.” If someone brings an Oscar to India, it will be Raju Sir. “Raju Sir would be the only director who could bring Oscar to India.”
Chhabra supports Hirani since he has worked with him on some of his biggest hits, like PK (2014), Sanju (2018), and Dunki (2023). Chhabra has a unique understanding of the careful accuracy and deep emotional depth that Rajkumar Hirani always gives to the big screen because they work together closely.
Chhabra commended Hirani’s directing skills highly in an earlier interview with Indian Express, saying, “Raju Hirani is an entire film school; working with him is like going to a film school.” When you work with that person, you learn all there is to know about making movies. I have worked on all of his ads, PK and Sanju, therefore I have spent a lot of time on them. His casting doesn’t end in a month; it lasts for two years because that guy “eats, breathes, and sleeps movies.” This story shows how dedicated and careful Hirani is when he makes movies.
Rajkumar Hirani: A Great Storyteller Who Is Known All Over the World
Many people think that Rajkumar Hirani is one of the best filmmakers in India. His unique approach is defined by his ability to mix touching stories, funny jokes, and sharp social commentary into popular commercial movies. His stellar resume includes a run of classic and hugely profitable films suchates Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), PK (2014), Sanju (2018), and Dunki (2023). Hirani has always made stories that Indian viewers can relate to on a deep level, yet they also have a worldwide appeal that goes beyond cultural barriers.
His movies deal with difficult and often touchy subjects like changing the way schools work (3 Idiots), religious superstition (PK), and identity (Sanju) in a way that is both simple and deep, with a hint of humor. Hirani is a master at making socially relevant movies that get great reviews and make a lot of money at the box office. This makes him both a critical darling and a box office favorite.
Rajkumar Hirani has a long history of making stories that everyone can relate to and that deal with basic human experiences. Because of this, he is a strong candidate to be the Indian director who eventually brings home a competitive Oscar for the country.