- By Chetna Shree
- Thu, 23 Oct 2025 06:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Elections 2025: Mukesh Sahani, leader of Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has been officially named the Mahagathbandhan’s candidate for deputy chief minister of Bihar. Sahani’s journey spans from the humble villages of Mithila to the glamorous world of Bollywood, before entering the competitive and challenging arena of state politics.
The Mahagathbandhan also announced the former Bihar deputy chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for Bihar.
Who Is Mukesh Sahani?
Mukesh Sahani, the founder of Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), was born in 1981 in Supaul Bazar, Darbhanga, into a Nishad (Mallah or fisherman) family. His early life was shaped by the financial hardships faced by his marginalised community. Witnessing the social and political exclusion of his community firsthand, Sahani was motivated to enter politics to challenge and overcome these long-standing inequalities.
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Driven by a desperate need for a better life, Sahani left his studies and Bihar behind at the age of 19. He landed in Mumbai, a vast city full of both challenges and opportunities. His early days were tough, working as a salesman in a cosmetic store just to make ends meet. Though far from the future he imagined, his determination helped him break into the Hindu film industry.
Sahani’s entry into Bollywood marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial career. He quickly transitioned from a simple job to a set designer, a specialised role involved in major film productions.
He established his own company, Mukesh Cineworld Private Limited. His work in designing realistic sets gained recognition within the industry. His breakthrough came in 2002 with the Shah Rukh Khan film Devdas, where he contributed to designing the film’s elaborate sets. He went on to work on other major projects, such as Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan and collaborated with leading industry professionals.
This period was crucial for Sahani, as it helped him build both wealth and a valuable network. During this time, he proudly adopted the nickname, “Son of Mallah,” which later became central to his political identity in Bihar.
By 2013, Mukesh Sahani began shifting his focus from business to social issues affecting his community in Bihar. Drawing inspiration from social justice leaders, he used his resources and wealth to support Nishads, Kevats, and other river-based groups.
In 2010, Sahani founded the Sahani Samaj Kalyan Sanstha to promote education and community unity. Later, in 2015, he launched the Nishad Vikas Sangh and led large rallies demanding Scheduled Caste status for these communities.
Salesman To Set Designer To Political Leader: Mukesh Sahani’s Rise In Bihar Politics
Mukesh Sahani’s journey, from leaving his small town to work as a salesman, to becoming a Bollywood set designer, and eventually entering politics, shows his gradual rise. His party, the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has become a notable player in Bihar’s caste-based politics, leading to his selection as the Mahagathbandhan’s candidate for deputy chief minister.