Mukesh Sahani, a name not widely recognized outside Bihar’s political circles, has made a significant leap from the glamorous world of Bollywood to the high-stakes arena of state politics. Once a set designer for iconic films such as Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Devdas’ and Salman Khan’s ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, Sahani is now the Mahagathbandhan’s chosen candidate for the Deputy Chief Minister position in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections.
Expressing his long-held anticipation, the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief stated, “I had been waiting for this moment for three-and-a-half long years,” shortly after his nomination was announced, with Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Minister face.
Born in 1981 in Darbhanga to a family of fishermen, Sahani is affectionately known as the ‘Son of Mallah’, a title honouring his community of boatmen and fisherfolk.
A Journey into Bollywood
Sahani’s path to Bollywood began at the young age of 19. He left Bihar for Mumbai, initially working as a salesman before venturing into set design. His work graced successful films like ‘Devdas’ and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, all while managing his own company, Mukesh Cine World Private Limited.
However, by 2013, inspired by figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, Sahani returned to Bihar with a new mission: to advocate for the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), who constitute over a third of the state’s population.
Sahani was initially aligned with the NDA for the 2020 assembly polls but later parted ways when his party’s MLAs shifted to the BJP.
Political Emergence and Alliance Dynamics
The announcement of Sahani’s deputy CM candidacy came from senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot. Sahani’s VIP party plays a crucial role in the Grand Alliance, having reached a seat-sharing agreement to contest at least 11 seats in the upcoming polls.
Despite the Nishad community (Sahani’s own) making up only 2.5% of Bihar’s population and the VIP contesting just 15 out of 243 seats, Sahani’s influence is strategically vital for the Mahagathbandhan. His nomination is seen as a calculated move to bolster the alliance’s appeal among backward and marginalized communities.
This political alignment was not without its hurdles. Reports indicate that the VIP nearly withdrew from the Mahagathbandhan due to dissatisfaction with the seat-sharing formula. However, intervention from Rahul Gandhi ultimately kept the party within the alliance.
Sahani is widely regarded as a leader with a significant ability to connect with and mobilize voters across various constituencies.