Divya Dutta on Influencers in Bollywood: Casting Should Be About Suitability

Bollywood actress Divya Dutta has commented on the trend of influencers landing film roles, stating that casting decisions should be based primarily on an individual's suitability for the character. She emphasized that while social media is a powerful platform for discovery, it should not override the essence of authentic casting. Dutta also shared her positive experience judging influencer awards, noting how inspiring it is to see people from all walks of life building identities online. Filmmaker Shashant Shah echoed this sentiment, viewing social media as a useful tool for talent discovery but not a replacement for traditional casting criteria.

Key Points: Divya Dutta Reacts to Influencers Getting Bollywood Roles

  • Casting must prioritize role suitability
  • Social media is a tool, not a casting mandate
  • Digital platforms empower diverse creators
  • Support systems are crucial for potential
3 min read

Divya Dutta reacts to influencers landing big Bollywood projects due to social media following

Bollywood actress Divya Dutta shares her views on casting influencers, emphasizing role suitability over social media following. Filmmaker Shashant Shah weighs in.

"I do feel casting should be done if a person suits the role, influencer or not. - Divya Dutta"

Mumbai, March 23

Bollywood actress Divya Dutta has opened up on the growing trend of casting influencers in major Bollywood projects, specifically based on their social media following.

The actress, while talking to IANS, highlighted that the suitability of a role should remain the primary criteria, irrespective of the number of social media followers.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Divya said, "I do feel casting should be done if a person suits the role, influencer or not."

Talking about feeling the pressure of being active on social media considering the social media boom, the Chiraiyaa actress added that she has always followed her own path and does not feel pressured to constantly stay active online.

"For me, the mantra is, whatever works for me, I will do that. I have always walked an opposite path. Whatever I post on social media, is something I genuinely enjoy. It's a part of my work life and personal life. If I feel like sharing it, I do it," she said.

Divya also spoke about her experience of being on a jury for social media and influencer-based awards recently, where she expressed how she was thrilled to witness how people from different walks of life are using digital platforms to carve their own identity.

"You realise you are very limited to your own world - your work, your shoots., it's all about you! But when you go beyond that, you see a housewife turning her cooking skills into a podcast, or a travel enthusiast becoming a blogger by just taking a step forward."

She added, "It's inspiring to see how people are using these platforms and thanking their families for supporting them."

The Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat actress added that having support and encouragement plays a crucial role in helping individuals explore their potential. "You need somebody who gives you wings to fly, and this is the time for that," she noted.

Filmmaker Shashant Shah, who is geared up for his OTT release Chiraiyaa, also shared his perspective, stating that while social media can be a useful platform, it should not override the essence of casting.

"Even if I have to find an actor who is not on social media, that is my primary job. And if I discover a new talent on social media, why not? It is a brilliant platform and opportunity. How people use it, that's where the question of use or abuse comes in," he said.

Talking about Divya Dutta, the actress has been receiving great response and reviews for her recently released OTT series Chiraiyaa.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Times are changing, yaar. Social media is the new portfolio. If an influencer has genuine screen presence and can pull audiences to theatres, why not? It's business at the end of the day. But yes, the role must fit.
A
Ananya R
I love her balanced view. She's not dismissing influencers but putting the emphasis back on suitability. And her point about seeing housewives and travel bloggers shine is so true! Digital India is creating new opportunities for everyone. 🇮🇳✨
M
Michael C
As someone who follows both Bollywood and global cinema, this is a worldwide trend. The key is integration, not replacement. Use social media to discover talent, but then put them through the same rigorous screen tests as any newcomer.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I think the industry is already doing this carefully. Most big influencers are only getting cameos or supporting roles in big films. The lead roles still go to trained actors. The panic is a bit overblown.
S
Shreya B
It's demoralizing for FTII graduates and theatre artists who slog for years. An influencer with zero acting experience gets a film because of reels? That's not fair. Divya Dutta, thank you for speaking up for the artists! 👏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50