From film sets to Bihar politics: Mukesh Sahani emerges as deputy CM contender

Patna — Mukesh Sahani, once a set designer for Bollywood hits like Devdas and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, has emerged as the Mahagathbandhan’s deputy chief minister nominee for the 2025 Bihar assembly election. He was named moments after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav was confirmed as the chief ministerial face.

“I had been waiting for this moment for three-and-a-half long years,” Sahani said after the announcement.

Born in 1981 in Darbhanga to a fisherman family, Sahani earned the nickname ‘Son of Mallah’, a tribute to his community of boatmen and fisherfolk. His early years saw him leave Bihar at 19 for Mumbai, where he worked as a salesman before breaking into Bollywood. He ran his own company, Mukesh Cine World Private Limited, while designing sets for top films.

By 2013, Sahani said he was inspired by B.R. Ambedkar and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur. He returned to Bihar to fight for the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), which comprise over a third of the state’s population.

Sahani initially allied with the NDA during the 2020 assembly polls. However, he left the coalition later that year after his MLAs defected to the BJP.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot announced Sahani’s name as the Mahagathbandhan’s deputy CM candidate on Thursday. Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has secured a seat-sharing agreement with the RJD-Congress-Left alliance to contest at least 11 seats. Sahani has already named 15 candidates, though the formal distribution remains pending.

Despite the Nishad community comprising just 2.5% of Bihar’s population, Sahani’s influence extends far beyond. Analysts say making him the deputy CM candidate is a strategic move by the Mahagathbandhan to strengthen its appeal among backward and marginalised groups.

However, his nomination did not come without hurdles. According to sources cited by PTI, the VIP nearly walked out of the alliance over disagreements on seat-sharing. The party remained in the coalition only after Rahul Gandhi personally intervened.

Sahani commands significant influence across multiple constituencies, and his support could help swing crucial marginal votes. Political observers note that while the VIP contests only 15 of the total 243 seats, Sahani’s presence in the alliance sends a strong signal to voters in Bihar’s EBC and Nishad communities.

Experts say Sahani combines grassroots influence with a compelling personal story. His journey from Mumbai’s film sets to Bihar’s political stage resonates with many voters, particularly first-time and younger participants.

As the Mahagathbandhan finalises its campaign strategy, Sahani is expected to take a central role in rallies and voter outreach. Party insiders confirm he will highlight backward community issues, economic development, and local governance reforms to broaden the alliance’s appeal.

With elections less than three weeks away, the announcement marks a significant step in the Opposition’s campaign. Political analysts say Sahani’s deputy CM candidacy could consolidate backward votes and challenge the NDA’s dominance, setting the stage for a hard-fought battle in Bihar.