11 August,2026 05:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Prince Narula. Pic via Instagram
In an entertainment industry increasingly ruled by likes, views and follower counts, Prince Narula believes genuine talent is sometimes getting pushed to the sidelines. The actor and reality-show winner has called out the growing influence of social media on casting, arguing that an actor's Instagram following can now matter more than their ability to perform.
While previously reflecting on his journey, Prince had revealed that music has taken precedence over acting in recent years and that he now focuses on music, positivity, and creating meaningful content, especially after embracing fatherhood.
Speaking to India Today recently, though, the 35-year-old said, "I actually think the earlier days were better because talent got opportunities. Today, numbers get opportunities."
Narula revealed that casting conversations today can include questions about an actor's Instagram following and social media activity. According to him, this can disadvantage performers who spend more time honing their craft than building an online presence.
"Casting directors ask how many Instagram followers you have and how active you are on social media. But the actors who are truly serious about their craft aren't constantly online. They're busy rehearsing, learning, and working on themselves. Unfortunately, many of them don't get cast because they don't have big numbers. I genuinely feel bad about that," he said.
Narula also questioned the assumption that a large following automatically indicates talent. "I don't believe in judging people by followers. Followers can be bought with money," he said.
However, he stressed that not every popular social media personality has built their audience artificially. Citing his Sabse Bada Dramebaaz co-judge Jannat Zubair as an example, he said her massive following reflects years of hard work, having started her career at a young age.
"I won't call her just an influencer; she's an actor. She's genuinely talented, and that's why she has 50 million followers," he said.
Narula said his concerns about talent finding opportunities were among the reasons he agreed to judge KUKU TV's Sabse Bada Dramebaaz, alongside Zubair and veteran actor Rakesh Bedi.
The micro-drama show aims to discover and nurture new acting talent through short-format storytelling. Narula, who had never explored the format before, said he was drawn to the idea of giving newcomers a platform to showcase their abilities.
The experience also took him back to his own early days as an actor, when auditions often ended with the dreaded promise of a callback that never came.
"I've been on the other side, so I know exactly what contestants go through," he said, adding that his own television journey was effectively his "acting school", with senior artistes helping him learn the craft.
Prince Narula also recently opened up about his battle with anxiety, revealing he once took 18 tablets a day and suffered from palpitations and night fears.
For Narula, the message is simple - while social media may open doors, talent should ultimately have the final say.
