Stree 2 Actor Abhishek Banerjee Calls Out Industry for Casting Influencers Over Talented Actors

Abhishek Banerjee, known for his recent role in the hit film Stree 2, has been celebrating the film's success. In a recent interview with Sucharita Tyagi on her YouTube channel, Abhishek shared insights about his career and the challenges he faces as both an actor and a casting director.

Criticism of Social Media Influencers in Casting

During the interview, Abhishek discussed the issue of influencers being cast in acting roles based on their Instagram followers. He stated, “This is a reality I face as both a casting director and an actor. I have faced it recently. We need to break this habit. The problem is not influencers becoming actors. If you can act, come from anywhere and act. The problem is when you are deciding on casting a particular actor depending on their followers.”

Abhishek pointed out that relying on social media metrics to make casting decisions could harm the industry. He explained, “You’ve seen the audition, shortlisted three people out of the lot… then you say all are good but the second one is really good. But the third one has more followers, that’s a serious problem. It will trap us. By the time the industry will come to realize that this is wrong, it will be too late.”

The Limitations of Social Media Metrics

Abhishek further criticized the focus on social media popularity by noting, “One thumbnail will last how long? It will bait might attract viewers to the first episode, but no one will invest nine hours into a web show solely because someone has followers.” He emphasized that the true measure of an actor's worth should be their skill, not their online following.

Abhishek's Role in Stree 2

In Stree 2, Abhishek plays the character Janna, alongside stars Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, and Pankaj Tripathi. The film, a sequel to the 2018 horror-comedy Stree, has been a major box office hit, showcasing Abhishek's acting prowess.

Abhishek Banerjee’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about the impact of social media on casting decisions and the need for merit-based evaluations in the industry.