Mukesh Chhabra marked a milestone for the film industry after Cassandra Kulukundis won the first-ever Oscar for Best Casting at the 98th Academy Awards. Kulukundis took home the award for ‘One Battle After Another,’ and Chhabra used the moment to spotlight a profession he believes deserves far more respect in India. In an emotional note, he called the win “truly a historic moment” and said the Academy’s decision to honor casting directors carried deep meaning for everyone in the field.
Best Casting Oscar win puts spotlight on casting directors
According to Chhabra’s post on X, the moment felt personal as well as historic. “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 recognize 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 for ‘One Battle After Another,’ directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is truly a historic moment for all of us in casting,” he wrote.Chhabra then turned the conversation toward India and urged the industry to give casting directors the credit they deserve. “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. It’s high time we all come together and celebrate this moment,” he added.
Cassandra Kulukundis’ acceptance speech at the Oscars 2026
Kulukundis won over Francine Maisler for ‘Sinners,’ Nina Gold for ‘Hamnet,’ Jennifer Venditti for ‘Marty Supreme,’ and Gabriel Domingues for ‘The Secret Agent.’ The category was presented by Paul Mescal, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chase Infiniti, Wagner Moura, and Delroy Lindo, all of whom appeared in the nominated films.After Gwyneth Paltrow announced her name, Kulukundis looked stunned and celebrated with director Paul Thomas Anderson before heading to the stage. In her speech, she thanked the Academy and the people who pushed for the category. “I have to obviously thank the Academy for even adding this category and for the casting directors that fought tirelessly to make it happen despite everything in their way,” she said. She ended with a tribute to those who never got this chance. “I dedicate this to you and to the casting directors who never got a chance to get nominated, who didn’t even get a chance to get their name on the movie. So this is for you guys.”
