Actress Zoya Hussain reveals being dropped from projects due to low Instagram followers

Actress Zoya Hussain, known for her acclaimed performances in Mukkabaaz and the Disney+ Hotstar series Grahan, has disclosed that she has been excluded from projects because of her low Instagram follower count.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Hussain shared her experience of facing industry pressures and the challenges of navigating Bollywood as an outsider.

Zoya Hussain, who recently appeared in the Prime Video series Big Girls Don't Cry and is currently starring alongside Manoj Bajpayee in Bhaiyya Ji, opened up about the unexpected criteria influencing casting decisions in the film industry. Despite her noteworthy acting prowess showcased in various projects, including music videos and web series, Hussain revealed that her Instagram presence, or lack thereof, has affected her opportunities in the industry.

"It is not that you don’t get noticed, it just takes a lot of time. It is very difficult to keep yourself motivated then. If someone is not casting you because you have very little (Instagram) followers, what can you do about it? Nothing," said Zoya.

She reflected on her Bollywood journey spanning seven years, expressing her frustration with the prevailing emphasis on social media metrics over artistic merit. "I have zero Instagram game, I don’t even pretend to have. I would much rather have a chat and meet people, rather than texting. I sometimes look at the Instagram of others and wonder, ‘Whoa! This makes sense’ and I enjoy seeing their profile. I neither have the bandwidth nor the intention."

While acknowledging the challenges of being an outsider in Bollywood, Hussain reiterated her commitment to her craft and expressed her reluctance to conform to stereotypical roles. "Yes, for example, if there is a huge commercial movie with three-four actresses just dancing around in their outfits, if there is nothing much to do in the character apart from being the eye candy to the male actors, I don’t think I would do that," she said.

"Right now, to be viewed as a credible actor is a good thing. I hope I don’t get slotted in the ‘Oh she won’t do commercial films, she will only do smaller films’ narrative. But I have not been stereotyped, because I don’t think I have been out there much," added Zoya.

Reflecting on the broader challenges of the industry, Hussain spoke about the waiting period between projects and the financial strains of living in Mumbai. She underscored the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing the need for actors to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.