Rohit Shetty claims young actors are ‘insecure’, scared of failure: ‘They are too much into social media’

admin August 29, 2023

Rohit Shetty, one of Bollywood’s most successful and commercially viable filmmakers, has always been known for his candid opinions and bold statements, both in interviews and public appearances. Recently, the director, who has helmed massive blockbusters such as Singham, Golmaal, and Sooryavanshi, made a remark that has sparked widespread discussion in the film industry: he claimed that young actors in the industry today are “insecure” and overly concerned with their public image, largely due to the influence of social media. Shetty’s statement comes in the context of growing concerns about the pressures faced by today’s young stars in an industry that thrives on external validation, instant fame, and social media scrutiny. His remarks have ignited debates not just within Bollywood but also in wider conversations about the evolving dynamics of fame, success, and the changing nature of stardom. To understand the essence of Shetty’s statement, it is essential to look at the rise of social media and how it has fundamentally changed the way actors engage with their fans and the public. In the past, Bollywood celebrities enjoyed a certain level of privacy, with limited access to their personal lives through traditional media outlets such as magazines, interviews, and television shows. This space allowed stars to maintain a mystique, and their careers were often shaped by their film roles and public appearances curated by PR teams. However, the advent of social media, particularly Instagram, Twitter, and now Threads, has created an entirely new dynamic. Young actors today are expected to maintain a consistent, highly curated presence on these platforms. Their every move, outfit, and opinion is broadcast to millions of followers, and their popularity often depends not just on their performances but on their ability to engage with fans, brands, and the digital world in general. While this has democratized fame to some extent, it has also placed an overwhelming amount of pressure on these actors to constantly maintain their public image, make viral content, and engage in the ongoing trend cycles that dominate the online world. This, according to Shetty, has led to a generation of young actors who are increasingly concerned with their public perception. He believes that the obsession with social media has heightened feelings of insecurity, as these actors find themselves constantly comparing their success with that of their peers. The fear of failure, and the way it is publicly amplified on social platforms, has created a generation that is anxious about their career choices and the way they are perceived by fans and the industry. Rohit Shetty, who has spent decades in the industry, has seen Bollywood evolve from an industry driven by traditional star power to one where digital presence often holds as much, if not more, importance. In his interview, he explained that today’s young actors, unlike their predecessors, are very much focused on external factors such as box office numbers, social media engagement, and the validation of the public, which, he believes, creates a climate of fear and insecurity. These insecurities, Shetty suggests, stem from an intense pressure to be perfect—whether in terms of physical appearance, public behavior, or even career choices.

The root of this insecurity lies in the constant monitoring and judgment that happens online. Social media platforms offer a constant stream of feedback, often from millions of followers, some of whom can be highly critical or even toxic. For young actors, a single negative comment or a failed post can have repercussions on their mental well-being. Additionally, the rise of digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram has made stars of influencers and content creators, adding another layer of competition for actors. The pressure to not only maintain but also grow their digital presence has left many young talents feeling overwhelmed. Shetty highlights how this environment has instilled a fear of failure in many budding actors—failure in terms of public reception, box office performance, and social media following. Unlike the stars of earlier generations, who were given space to fail or succeed at their own pace, today’s young actors are immediately thrust into the spotlight, where their successes and failures are laid bare for the world to see. Shetty believes that this culture of instant gratification and instant judgment creates an atmosphere of insecurity and fear of failure, which affects an actor’s ability to perform freely and authentically. Shetty’s comments also reflect a larger shift in how stardom is defined in today’s Bollywood. In the past, stars were built slowly, through a combination of strong film performances, PR strategies, and carefully managed public appearances. Today, however, the definition of a “star” has expanded beyond acting talent and box office success to include an actor’s social media following, brand partnerships, and influence in the digital space. This shift has meant that younger actors, who might have traditionally built their stardom on their acting skills and audience appeal, now find themselves having to constantly measure their worth against a myriad of other metrics. This new form of stardom has led to an entirely different kind of pressure for actors. In the earlier days of Bollywood, failure was often seen as a temporary setback or a matter of bad luck. Today, however, failure can mean a loss of followers, bad press on social media, and the potential to be replaced by newer, younger stars who are more adept at creating online content. This, Shetty argues, has created a generation of actors who are far more risk-averse, reluctant to step out of their comfort zones, and constantly preoccupied with ensuring that they remain relevant in an increasingly competitive digital environment. In a broader sense, Shetty’s remarks raise important questions about the mental health of actors, particularly young ones. The constant scrutiny of their personal lives and careers on social media platforms can be emotionally and psychologically draining. The constant need for approval, both on screen and online, can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, depression, and insecurity. While Bollywood has made strides in recent years to address issues of mental health within the industry.

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