An old video of popular actress Momina Iqbal has resurfaced and is making rounds on social media, shedding light on a growing trend in the entertainment industry. In the video, Momina Iqbal candidly discusses the increasing emphasis on Instagram followers as a criterion for landing lead roles in dramas and films.
Momina Iqbal shares in the video that the situation was different in the past. According to her, such discussions were unheard of on shooting sets before, but now, the scenario has changed drastically. She reveals that even during shooting, conversations revolve around the number of followers an actor has on Instagram. Those with higher follower counts are more likely to be offered prominent roles.
The actress explained that it’s now common for producers and directors to consider an actor’s social media influence before offering them work. They say if a certain model has a high follower count, they should be given the role, and if someone has fewer followers, they are assigned a lesser job, Momina Iqbal says, highlighting the growing trend of social media metrics dictating casting decisions.
Momina Iqbal emphasizes that one of the key demands for actresses to secure lead roles is to have a substantial following on Instagram. She mentions that the industry’s focus has shifted to how popular an actor is on social media, rather than just their acting skills.
During the shooting, it’s often remarked that those with fewer Instagram followers are less known, and this affects their chances of landing significant roles. Momina Iqbal expressed her frustration with this mindset, pointing out that unless new actresses are given opportunities to work, how will they ever build a following or become known to the public?
This isn’t the first time Momina Iqbal has spoken about the challenges of securing acting opportunities based on Instagram followers. She has previously highlighted that actors with larger social media followings are more likely to get work, regardless of their talent or experience.
Other actors and actresses in the showbiz and fashion industry have also echoed Momina Iqbal’s concerns. They have pointed out that social media popularity, particularly on Instagram, has become a significant factor in determining who gets cast in leading roles. Momina’s comments bring attention to a broader issue in the entertainment industry, where talent and experience are increasingly being overshadowed by social media metrics. This trend is not limited to actors alone; it also affects models and other professionals in the fashion industry.
In a similar vein, renowned filmmaker Syed Noor once admitted that he cast TikToker Jannat Mirza in a film primarily because of her large following on TikTok. However, he later noted that despite her vast fan base, the film did not achieve the success they had hoped for, suggesting that social media popularity alone is not a guaranteed recipe for success.
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The viral video featuring Momina Iqbal has sparked discussions among fans and industry professionals alike. Many are concerned that the industry’s growing reliance on social media metrics could compromise the quality of work being produced. There is a fear that this focus on follower counts may overlook genuinely talented actors who may not have a significant social media presence.
Momina Iqbal’s revelation serves as a wake-up call for the industry to re-evaluate its priorities. While social media undoubtedly plays a role in modern-day fame, relying solely on follower counts to cast lead roles could lead to a lack of diversity and talent in the industry.
As the video continues to gain traction online, it raises important questions about the future of the entertainment industry. Will the trend of prioritizing Instagram followers over talent continue, or will there be a shift back to valuing acting skills and experience? Only time will tell.
