Casting director Mukesh Chhabra has expressed immense pride and delight over Cassandra Kulukundis's big win at the 2026 Oscars. The veteran casting director, Kulukundis, received the first Academy Award ever presented for casting for her collaboration on Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. Taking to his X handle, Mukesh Chhabra penned a long note, sharing how he manifested the moment for years. "I'm honestly so, so happy. I can't even explain how happy I feel. I've been manifesting this moment for years. Seeing the Academy Awards finally recognise the importance of casting directors means so much to me. Cassandra Kulukundis winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Casting at the 98th Academy Awards One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is truly a historic moment for all of us in casting," he wrote.

 

Chhabra emphasised how the profession of casting deserves more value. "I really hope this opens people's eyes to the value of casting and gives this profession the respect it deserves in our country as well. I hope that in India, too, people begin to understand and respect the work of casting directors the way it is respected in Hollywood. Its high time we all come together and celebrate this moment," he added. At the Academy Awards, Kulukundis, who appeared to be shocked by the news, dedicated her win to all the casting directors who fought for the recognition. n