Bendang
Walling is a versatile actor, director, and theatre practitioner known for his
role as Sub-Inspector Isaac in "Paatal Lok" Season 2 (2025).
Born in
Nagaland, he discovered his passion for acting through church plays before
pursuing a Master’s in Dramatic Arts at the National School of Drama (NSD) in
New Delhi, where he graduated in 2012. Walling also founded Hill Theatre,
Nagaland. He was selected as a film fellow for the Dharamshala International
film festival for his short film “Blissful” (2016). His directorial web series
"Dreams & Chaos" (2020) earned the Best Regional Web Series award
at the Kashi Indian International Film Festival in 2021.
Walling has
also made his mark in Bollywood and digital platforms, with acting credits in
projects like "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy" and the acclaimed web
series "Paatal Lok." His contributions to theatre have been widely
recognised, earning him the NEZCC Young Talented Artist Award for Theatre
(2008-09) and the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva
Puraskar for Theatre Direction in 2023, making him the second Naga artist to
receive this honor. At 38, he continues to shape Nagaland’s entertainment
industry.
In this
interview with Eastern Mirror, Walling offers practical advice for
aspiring actors, the importance of cultural identity, and where to start.
How
important is cultural identity for an actor from Nagaland, and how does it
shape your performances?
As an
artist, to be identified and rooted in your culture is an essence to bring out
the originality. Knowing one's roots and foundation determines an artist's
performance, largely.
For
students in Nagaland (and elsewhere), what are the initial steps to explore a
career in acting?
Initial
steps for exploring a career in acting would be to participate in acting
workshops or training organised by theatre institutions and churches, film
professionals, and to be updated with news on casting calls to audition when
such opportunities are available.
Are
there any formal courses or training programmes that you would recommend for
aspiring actors?
The
National School of Drama, New Delhi; the Film and Television Institute, Pune;
the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata; and the recently
opened Film and Television Institute, Itanagar, are some of the formal training
programmes and institutes I would recommend.
How can
young actors overcome challenges when resources or institutes are limited in
their region?
For
aspiring artists to survive in a place that cannot provide a platform to
exhibit to enhance the art, itself is a challenge. So, to overcome it is to
work persistently and without giving up; one has to keep working oneself into
any opportunities, provided. Apart from that, the biggest way to overcome
challenges is to go beyond the comfort zone and explore.
How did
you secure your first acting role, and what lessons did that experience teach
you?
The first
acting role I got was in the film, “Detective Byomkesh Bakshy”. Being the first
time I was cast in a film, I got a holistic learning. The experience extended
far beyond acting and role-playing. I learnt true professionalism of the film
industry
Receiving the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Award in the field of Theatre
Art for Direction, 2023
What
kinds of skills or qualities do casting directors typically look for in new
actors?
Versatility.
How can
aspiring actors improve their craft daily, even without formal classes or
professional equipment?
In a world
where everything is just a click away, there are ample tutorials and
professionals one can learn from. So, both theoretically and practically, if
one is sincere enough, they can learn from social media platforms and put them
to practice by performing when an opportunity is provided.
What are
the typical career paths or job prospects for someone pursuing acting?
The career
paths one can pursue in acting include becoming an actor in films and theatre
plays, an acting coach, opening acting institutes, and serving as a mentor or
teacher in film acting and theatre.
What
role does social media play in an actor’s career today, and how can students
use it effectively?
Social
media can help a student in doing research as an actor and also enhance the
skills. Be updated on how film making and acting are done. Also watch podcasts
and interviews of professionals in the field.
What
changes would you like to see in the film and theatre landscape in Nagaland to
support future actors?
We have 17
districts in Nagaland. If all these districts bring out one production each in
a year, that will bring prospects to the aspiring actors in Nagaland. Besides
that, the education system and institutes should incorporate theatre and
filmmaking in the school curriculum and even include it as a branch of
technical education, so that one can pursue it as a career too. The government
can make theatre and film policy, fund theatre and filmmaking professionals to
make productions and provide workshops and training to aspiring actors.
Finally,
what message or advice would you like to leave with students who dream of
becoming actors?
Becoming a
successful actor takes time, effort and dedication. Stay true to your passion
and artistry. Always be open to feedback and criticism, but it all begins with
developing a strong foundation in acting techniques.
RAPID
INSIGHTS
If you
could act alongside any historical figure, who would it be?
Adolf
Hitler and Jesus Christ.
Do you
have a quote or mantra you live by?
Keep working.
Which
app on your phone do you use the most?
WhatsApp.
With Jaideep Ahlawat from the
set of Paatal Lok Season 2
