Meet Kamlesh Bablani, a Freelance Actor, Model, and Human Resources & Training Development Professional, whose journey from pursuing acting as a hobby to becoming a trailblazing industry leader is remarkable. With roots in the USA, Kamlesh’s career began with modeling during his time as a student. However, fate had something extraordinary in store for him when his brother, Sunny, suggested taking acting lessons. Little did he know that this simple suggestion would ignite an unquenchable fire within him for the art of acting.
Since then, Kamlesh’s ascent in the entertainment world has been meteoric, and he has earned a reputation for being not only an exceptional actor but also an astute entrepreneur.
Adding to his impressive portfolio, Kamlesh has showcased his acting talent in several notable projects, including the Pakistani movie “Pinky Memsaab” on Netflix,” the Filipino movie “Love or Money” on Netflix, and the music video “Sai Ram Iyer- Teri Bindiya Re.” He has also contributed to the movie “Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning” as an actor. These achievements exemplify his commitment to excellence and highlight the diversity of his artistic prowess.
He was also involved in various TVCs, Commercials, and Ads in the UAE, KSA, and a few more upcoming projects. He aspires to travel the world and take on challenging projects.
He was based in the USA, in Oklahoma, and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BBA in Human Resources/MIS-Management Information System. Later, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, where his brother Sunny joined him, and their journey in Acting/Modeling began.
He has also worked in different states such as Washington DC and Texas. His main home was in San Antonio, where he started his Acting Career. Additionally, he did a small modeling project with Kens 5 News for a Bride-Groom special moment on a Live Morning Talk Show.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into Kamlesh Bablani’s extraordinary life journey, exploring the milestones and turning points that have shaped him into the exemplary industry leader he is today.
Can you share key milestones and turning points in your journey as an industry leader or entrepreneur?
As a Freelance Actor/Model/Human Resources & Training Development Professional, being an entrepreneur means not only recognizing an opportunity but also being willing to act on it. Confidence, courage, and willingness are necessary to take that first step, along with remembering the following:
- You are unique. Even if two similar people attempted to launch identical ventures, the results would likely not be the same. This is because each one of us has different ideas, approaches, available resources, and comfort levels, all of which influence the venture’s development and eventual success.
- Although there are no hard and fast rules or theories of the best way to launch into entrepreneurship, we can gain wisdom from the lessons learned by experienced entrepreneurs.
- Selecting an entrepreneurial career requires honesty, reflection, and a tendency to be action-oriented. You will need to recognize your own strengths, limitations, and commitment as part of that honesty. Reflection is required for self-growth—seeking improvements in your own skills, interactions, and decision-making—and commitment is required to maintain consistency in your willingness to make the new venture a top priority in your life.
- You will also need to understand that you cannot accomplish everything by yourself, and you may need to ask for help. It helps to be curious, open, and able to take calculated risks and to be resourceful and resilient when faced with challenges or obstacles.
What inspired you to start your own company or venture in this industry?
Being an actor, which was just a hobby for me when I started my modeling career while studying in the USA, my brother Sunny suggested taking some acting lessons, and from that point onwards, I was hooked. My brother said that I also found a world where there is no limit to career options and getting to work. I get to collaborate with talented individuals from all over the world, and I was always influenced by my family, who had a tradition of watching movies as a way to socialize with each other. Again, this was just a hobby from 2002 to 2006. Fast forward to 2009, I moved to Dubai and started my career as a Hotelier, working as an HR Manager. I made UAE my home and I feel blessed to be here in this land of opportunity. I worked my way up to become a VP for HR & Training Development. However, I had enough of the corporate life and decided to pursue acting full-time from 2018 onwards.
Being an actor means being an entrepreneur of integrity. You need to be the best businessperson you can be because you essentially own a business that provides a service called acting, operating in the marketplace known as the Entertainment Industry. As there are many other entrepreneurs providing the same service, you must ensure that yours is the best it can be.
How do you foster innovation within your company? Can you provide an example of a successful innovation initiative?
- Method Acting: The Actors Studio introduced and popularized the Method Acting technique in the United States. This approach, influenced by the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski, emphasized emotional authenticity and immersion in a character’s psychological and emotional state. It revolutionized acting by encouraging actors to draw from personal experiences and emotions to create realistic and compelling performances.
- Workshop Format: The Actors Studio pioneered a workshop format where actors, playwrights, and directors could collaborate and experiment with new techniques and ideas. This format provided a supportive and creative environment for artists to explore their craft and push the boundaries of traditional acting methods.
- Alumni Success: The Actors Studio has produced numerous successful actors who have made significant contributions to the film, television, and theater industries. Notable alumni include Marlon Brando, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Meryl Streep, among many others. Their achievements and impact on the acting profession validate the effectiveness and success of The Actors Studio’s innovation initiative.
- Through its innovative approach to acting training and its influential alumni, The Actors Studio has played a pivotal role in shaping modern acting techniques and has become a symbol of excellence and artistic exploration in the field of acting.
How do you attract and retain top talent in your organization?
Retaining talent is a sign of success for an organization. Companies whose employees stay with them long term save both time and money. Understanding the importance of retaining talent and the strategies to use can help your business enhance its productivity with more experienced employees.
How important has mentorship and networking been in your professional journey?
Mentors can help you recognize your potential and surmount obstacles on your path to success. Your mentor can guide you in finding the right answers and also help you expand your network within your industry and beyond. Understanding the personal and professional benefits of networking is crucial. For instance, if I have a scene to act out in front of the director, I would surely call a fellow actor friend and rehearse the scene with them to get their feedback before heading to the set to perform it.
How do you assess and mitigate risks in your business?
One should always monitor their risks in order to plan accordingly and make necessary adjustments.
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs in this industry? What key lessons have you learned along the way?
Learn, learn, and learn. Be positive, be motivated, and keep moving forward. If you are a passionate seeker, go for your goals, and don’t let negativity stop you from anything. Personally, I am so busy that I don’t have time to get upset, jealous, or think about others. I have to earn my own bread and butter and be around supportive people.
If I have auditioned for a role in a movie, commercial, etc., and I don’t get selected, I won’t be bogged down and make excuses. I won’t dwell on why this happened or that happened. If the same role is offered to someone else I know, and they get selected, I will be genuinely happy for them. After all, why not? We, as humans, need to be there for one another, regardless of who gets the job or who doesn’t.
And if I didn’t get selected, I would work even harder to make sure I get it right the next time I have an audition.
What are your long-term goals for your company? How do you plan to remain competitive in the evolving business landscape?
In the long term, as I mentioned earlier, keep moving forward, don’t stop, and work, work, work. However, at the same time, make sure to give time to your family and loved ones too, as family is everything. Time management is essential, and there should be no excuses about that. Surround yourself with supportive friends in your circle, and don’t be let down by anyone. Always hold your head high.
As a motivational speaker, I always mention to my audiences that the more you dwell on what people say about you, the more you will hurt yourself. Instead, give them your blessings and keep moving ahead in life. Work in silence, and let your success make the noise.