The world is moving towards changes that favor some aspects of tradition while challenging others. The business of filmmaking, for instance, has undergone drastic shifts in nearly every area. The paparazzi culture is a global phenomenon, and the number of Instagram followers can determine whether you get a job. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Dia Mirza, who is making news for her performance in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, recently spoke with us in an exclusive conversation, discussing how these trends are depressing for her and could put undue pressure on younger people who want to work in showbiz. She recalled how her team advised her to be more visible in the public eye through paparazzi. Vijay Varma, Anubhav Sinha, and Kumud Mishra also shared their opinions on the matter.

Dia Mirza on Casting & Parameters

In our exclusive conversation, Dia Mirza was asked about her journey in the OTT space and whether she feels we are on the right track with everything. The actor recalled how democratization was taking place half a decade ago, and she celebrated it wholeheartedly. She mentioned how it was difficult to find good work for a while, leading to a lean phase in her career. The advent of OTT platforms gave actors like her the opportunity to showcase their talent. However, she feels that we are now going down the rabbit hole again. She pointed out that social media following is becoming a parameter in casting decisions, and how this is depressing. 

Dia Mirza said, “That is so disturbing to me on so many levels. Some of the most iconic artists I grew up watching don’t have half the following. Does that make them irrelevant? So, there are some very strange things. My team has told me, ‘You need to go out and about a little more because the paps need to see you more.’ Now platforms decide casting based on how visible you are in the media and how much you are talked about. So, these conversations are, once again, depressing. I thought we were evolving, but it’s a struggle.” Anubhav Sinha added, “Conviction as a currency is being demonetized.”

How Do They Find Their Next Jobs Then?

In the same conversation, we asked the IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack team how they find their next jobs when the parameters are so stringent, and social media followers count as a criterion. Dia Mirza said, “I personally feel very grateful that he (Anubhav Sinha), as a director, finds me employable and has given me some of my best parts. There are a few others I can count on. Would I like to work more? Hell, yeah! I have so much more to offer, but I think it’s all about how you respond to the changes and evolution happening around you.”

Anubhav Sinha added, “I have a problem with this concept. The writing is on the wall: it means zilch. We need to call this out and stop even entertaining the question. I don’t know how many followers these guys have on Instagram (pointing at Patralekhaa and Dia). Count me out, but there are people who are following this concept. Are they making more successful films or shows in terms of reputation? No. The writing is on the wall, so stop selling it.”

Vijay Varma offered an interesting take, saying, “I think Janhvi Kapoor said in some interview that if I have this many followers, people assume they will all come to watch my films, but that’s not happening.” Dia added, “All my films would be super-duper hits in that case.” Vijay continued, “So I think it’s good for brands; it’s good for you primarily in terms of advertising. I don’t think it concerns people who have been around for a while. But for youngsters getting into the job, it must be affecting them a lot. They have extraordinary pressure.”

Anubhav Sinha also criticized executives who endorse the idea of casting actors based on followers and visibility in the media. “This is a symptom of lazy executives, as simple as that. They don’t know anything better. I don’t think any of you should worry about it. If you panic and subscribe to that concept, you’re only supporting it.” Kumud Mishra added, “There are phases, and this is one of those phases. If you have talent and the conviction to do good work, you’ll get the job, do it well, and earn well too.”

Vijay Varma added, “You don’t have to follow any rules. The idea is that the only unique thing you have is you. You have to be absolutely your authentic, true self. There’s no replacement for you in the market. If you try to become someone else, there will always be a replacement for that. Don’t try to be someone else; just be yourself.”

Anubhav Sinha concluded the discussion by saying, “All artists, whether they are writers, directors, painters, or sculptors, have to remember and stick to the idea of how well their art ages, not how quickly it is consumed. By subscribing to the idea that follower count is a criterion, we lose the very essence of art. Art is forever. A studio might make eight superhit films in a year, but only one or two will live on for 20 years—the other six won’t.”

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is now streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.