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Actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee, best known for his role in the hit film Stree and its sequel Stree 2, recently expressed his concerns about a troubling trend in the entertainment industry—prioritizing influencers over seasoned actors in casting decisions. As someone who navigates the industry both as an actor and a casting director, Banerjee shared his insights during a candid conversation with Sucharita Tyagi on her YouTube channel.
Banerjee, who co-founded the casting company Casting Bay, revealed that he has been overlooked for roles due to his relatively modest Instagram following. This trend, which has gained momentum in recent years, especially post-pandemic, reflects the increasing emphasis on social media clout over genuine talent. Banerjee remarked, “This is a reality I face as both a casting director and an actor. We need to break this habit.”
The Pitfalls of Prioritizing Followers Over Talent
In the discussion, Banerjee highlighted a growing issue in casting—choosing actors
based on their social media following rather than their acting abilities. He
illustrated this by pointing out that if three actors are shortlisted for a
role but the final decision is swayed by follower counts, the industry is
heading in a problematic direction.
“A thumbnail bait might attract viewers to the first episode, but no one will invest nine hours into a web show solely because someone has followers,” Banerjee argued. He emphasized that
while social media presence can be beneficial, it should not outweigh the
importance of talent and suitability for the role.
Drawing a comparison, Banerjee noted, “Many people have more followers
than Shah Rukh Khan, but there isn’t a bigger star than him—so comparisons
based on followers are rubbish.” He pointed out the stark differences
between creating content for social media and acting in films, stressing that
these are entirely different skill sets.
The Struggle for Outsiders
Banerjee’s concerns are particularly relevant in the context of the challenges faced by
outsiders in the film industry. He shared that, despite being a seasoned
casting director, he has personally encountered this bias, missing out on roles
due to his follower count. “The demand for actors with significant
followings has surged post-pandemic,” he explained, recounting a recent
incident where a director admitted that while he wanted to cast Banerjee, he
was instructed to select someone with millions of followers.
“The film industry already poses enough barriers for outsiders, and now
the requirement for a substantial Instagram following has become yet another
obstacle,” Banerjee lamented. This new barrier is especially disheartening
for actors who have honed their craft but lack the social media presence that
seems increasingly necessary for securing roles.
Success of Stree 2 and Beyond
Despite these challenges, Banerjee’s career continues to thrive. He recently reprised
his role as Jana in Stree 2, a film that has been well-received by both critics
and audiences. The movie, directed by Amar Kaushik, not only exceeded
expectations at the box office but also outperformed competitors like Khel Khel
Mein and Vedaa. Reflecting on the success, Banerjee expressed his gratitude for
being part of a franchise that resonates so deeply with audiences.
“It is unbelievable. I am listening to beautiful stories about how people are enjoying
the movie, whistling and clapping at every scene, and turning in the film while
dancing to the songs. To be a part of a franchise that is so big and the
audience is giving so much love is very definitely a sense of achievement
here,” he said.
In addition to Stree 2, Banerjee also appeared in Vedaa, which hit theaters on
the same day. The film, directed by Nikkhil Advani and starring John Abraham
and Sharvari, has added another feather to Banerjee’s cap.Looking ahead, Banerjee
is set to appear in Section 84 alongside Amitabh Bachchan and in Vipul Shah’s
Hisab, where he will reunite with his Pataal Lok co-star Jaideep Ahlawat.
Despite the obstacles he faces, Banerjee’s commitment to his craft and his
belief in the power of talent over social media metrics remain steadfast.
A Call for Change
These words by Abhishek Banerjee hint at a major problem in
today’s entertainment sector. With the blurring of the line between social
media and traditional media, talent should always be placed at the center of
casting. Although influencers add value, it is imperative that storytelling in
cinema be about actors who can enact the character and do so without the use of
social media profiles. (Also read : https://test.inpactimes.com/rajkummar-rao-shares-how-srk-inspired-him/)
