Lights, Camera, Local Train: My 20-Year Journey from Stage to Screen

How 150+ theater shows, Mumbai auto-drivers, and a web series called ‘Dilwala Bodyguard’ taught me the real art of acting. By Kaustubh Singh.

They say Mumbai is the city of dreams. What they don’t tell you is that the dream usually begins in a packed local train, standing on one foot, while someone else’s elbow is intimately well-acquainted with your ribs.

As an actor and casting director living in Mumbai, my day doesn’t start with a director yelling “Action!” It starts with me convincing an auto-driver at Andheri station to go to Versova. That, my friends, is the first audition of the day. And trust me, it requires Oscar-level persuasion.

The 150-Show Armor

Before I stepped into the glittering, often chaotic world of Bollywood and OTT, I spent years on the theater stage. Over 150 stage productions, to be precise. Theater is a beautiful, brutal teacher. There is no “Cut, let’s do one more take.” If your mustache falls off mid-scene (and yes, it has happened to me during a serious historical drama), you don’t stop. You either incorporate the flying mustache into the plot or pretend it was a structural design of your face all along.

That stage experience became my armor when I transitioned to screen acting. It taught me discipline, timing, and most importantly, how to stay grounded when everything around you is chaotic.

The “Dilwala Bodyguard” Audition Chronicles

Transitioning to screen projects like the recent OTT series Dilwala Bodyguard brought its own set of hilarious realities.

I remember preparing for a particularly intense, authoritative scene. I spent the entire night in my Mumbai apartment practicing my deep, baritone voice modulation, trying to channel absolute gravity. The next morning at the audition, right when I was delivering my most impactful, emotional monologue to the camera, a local vegetable vendor outside the window began shouting at the top of his lungs: “ALOO BEGUN LE LOOOO!” (Buy potatoes and eggplants!).

The casting assistant burst out laughing. I had to pivot instantly, maintaining my intense character posture while seamlessly delivering the next line as if the vegetable vendor was part of my character’s internal monologue. We got the take, but to this day, every time I see an eggplant, I am reminded of my dramatic range.

Seeing Both Sides: From Actor to Casting Director

Living in Mumbai and navigating Bollywood pushes you to evolve. To bridge the gap between incredible talent and the screen, I founded Basileus Casting.

Wearing both hats — being an actor in front of the camera and a casting director behind it — has given me a unique perspective. When actors come into my audition room, I don’t just see candidates; I see my own reflection. I know the anxiety of waiting for a callback, the hope carried in a portfolio, and the resilience it takes to hear a “no” and still show up the next morning with a smile.

The Show Goes On

Mumbai tests you, but it also rewards authenticity. Whether I am rehearsing a complex character variation, scouting for fresh faces for a new project, or just enjoying a cutting chai at a tapri in Juhu, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

The journey from 150+ stage plays to OTT screens hasn’t been a straight line — it’s been a rollercoaster, heavily seasoned with Mumbai rain and Bollywood magic. And the best part? The script is still being written.

Connect with me:

• For Private Acting Sessions & Mentorship: If you want to sharpen your craft, master method acting, or elevate your performance, let’s connect for one-on-one private sessions.
• For Casting & Collaborations: If you are looking for the right talent for your next project, or want to discuss casting requirements for films and TV, feel free to reach out.

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