Naga actor and director Bendang Walling has officially joined the cast of The Family Man Season 3 on Amazon Prime Video, portraying the character Chuba, a role rooted in the socio-political landscape of the Northeast. With a background in both theatre and cinema, Walling brings depth, lived experience, and cultural nuance to the widely celebrated thriller created by the filmmaker duo Raj & DK.

Walling is no stranger to Indian audiences. His earlier appearances include films and series such as Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, the popular Nagaland-based series Dreams & Chaos, and Paatal Lok Season 2. With each role, he has steadily built a reputation for authenticity and strong character work.

Season 3 of The Family Man, which premiered on 21 November 2025, has been received positively by critics and audiences alike. The show continues to follow Srikant Tiwari, portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee, a middle-class man balancing family life with his covert duties at the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC).

Accolades and Recognition

Over the years, Walling’s contributions to performing arts have earned him notable honours, including:

• NEZCC Young Talented Artist Award (2008) from NEZCC
• Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2023) in Theatre, awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi
• TaFMA Excellency Award (2025) from TaFMA

These recognitions underscore his consistent excellence across theatre, independent films, and mainstream productions.

Interview Highlights with Mokokchung Times

On sharing the frame with Manoj Bajpayee

Bendang Walling:
“Sharing a group scene with the incredible Manoj Bajpayee Sir was an unforgettable experience. Even without dialogue, being in his presence was electrifying. Before the camera rolled in Khonoma, I got to speak with him — his humility and kindness truly stood out. Watching him work felt like witnessing art in its purest form.”

On portraying Chuba, a Naga freedom fighter

Bendang Walling:
“Playing a Naga freedom fighter resonated deeply with me. As Nagas, we’ve often been misunderstood or manipulated by external forces exploiting our internal differences. This character’s journey mirrors realities our people have faced. Bringing those emotions and truths into Chuba was important to me.”

On transitioning from theatre to large-scale productions

Walling shared that his years in theatre shaped not only his discipline but also his approach to emotional authenticity — a strength that continues to guide him in larger, more complex productions like The Family Man.

With his performance in Season 3, Walling adds yet another significant milestone to his steadily rising career while contributing to greater visibility for Naga artists in Indian cinema and OTT storytelling.

Special thanks to @tu_imna_tu