Bollywood’s casting pioneer Gautam Kishanchandani and actor Tumul Balyan discuss rejection, resilience, and success on Love Lingo Podcast

In the latest episode of the Love Lingo Podcast, the spotlight is on two fascinating guests—Gautam Kishanchandani, Bollywood’s renowned casting director, and Tumul Balyan, an aspiring actor and MMA professional who gained attention for his incredible performance in Dhaakad alongside Kangana Ranaut. Founded and hosted by Arsala Qureishi and Jas Sagu, the Love Lingo Podcast is celebrated for its insightful discussions on culture, entertainment, and personal journeys. This episode takes a deep dive into the unique experiences of these two individuals with the dynamic world Bollywood.
 
Gautam Kishanchandani, known for his casting work for iconic films such as Black Friday, Dev D, Sacred Games, Chhapaak, and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, recounts his journey from aspiring doctor to becoming a star-maker in Bollywood.
 
"My parents were doctors, and I was obliged to take care of the hospital they built. But I always loved watching movies," Gautam reminisces, recounting his early fascination with cinema, especially after watching Roja twice during a trip to Belgaum. He also recalls meeting Anurag Kashyap, saying, "I met him at a video library. At the time, he was known as the writer of Satya and director of Paanch. I was interested in working in films, but nobody wanted to take me in, so I told the library guy to introduce me to Anurag when he came in."
 
Gautam offers straightforward wisdom to aspiring actors, he mentions, “You cannot come to Mumbai to learn; wherever you are, train and then come. If you know the craft, no one can stop you, no matter who is auditioning alongside." Regarding nepotism, he further emphasizes, "Train as hard as you can. If you're good at your craft, it doesn’t matter who else is auditioning."
 
Addressing the #MeToo movement in Bollywood, Gautam makes his stance clear, "There’s fear now, and rightly so. I once had to fire one of my best assistants within 30 minutes after he misbehaved with a female colleague at a party. I have zero tolerance for such behavior, no second chances."
 
Tumul Balyan shares his perspective on rejection and resilience in the industry, "I never felt overtly sad when I was rejected after moving to Mumbai. It’s been a rollercoaster, but Mumbai is a city where you never feel alone. And because of my background in MMA, action has always been my first priority." He also adds, "I don’t have a definition for success. I am so immersed in the process that I seldom think about it. I just hope to reach the destination I’ve planned."
 
Gautam further ponders on the books that have profoundly shaped his life, "When I was 18, I read The Godfather By Mario Puzo and it had stills from the movie in it. After reading the book and watching the film, I realized how much it impacted me, it made a surreal impression."