Neha Sharma, in a recent interview, talked about how influencers are chosen over actors for lead roles or big parts in films.
Actress Neha Sharma recently opened up on how the casting in the film industry is now dictated by one’s fan-following on social media. The Solo actress said that influencers with 30-40 million followers are given preference over actors, who may have earned fans through their work but don’t have a lot of followers on social media.
She recalled an incident where an influencer with a massive fan following on social media was picked over her for a project that she had done multiple readings for.
Neha was quoted as saying by Indian Express, “I feel like these influencers, with 30-40 million followers, I don’t even know how that exists but it does, they are getting lead roles in films, landing big parts. You would be amazed, there was a reading that I did for a huge channel. I did four readings with them and then I was called and informed that so and so person has been cast. I asked if that person had done any work, if there was any credibility to that but then I was like, ‘Oh 50 or 40 million followers.’ That tells me a lot.”
The actress told the publication that earlier, it used to hurt her but now, she has come to terms with it as the ‘new norm’.
“They want to take the kids who have this following. I don’t know how long or sustainable this is. This can’t be sustainable, so I am assuming this is going to be this phase where you will see all of them in all the films. Then people will realise maybe it is important to take someone who can actually act,” she told the portal.
Neha is currently busy with the promotions of her upcoming film, Jogira Sara Ra Ra in which she is paired opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Speaking about how she bagged the film, the actress revealed that she got a call from casting director Jogi who connected her with director Kushan Nandy. The latter told her that he liked one of her Instagram reels that she had done on ‘Dheeme Dheeme’ song.
“He loved it and I thought great, there isn’t that much in it but if you loved it… Unbelievable how work can come your way today thanks to the internet. But, it has become a thing now,” the actress told the portal.
Jogira Sara Ra Ra is slated to release in theatres on May 12, 2023.
