Geeta Kapur, the renowned choreographer and reality show judge, has recently voiced her concerns regarding the growing trend of casting actors based on their social media following rather than their actual talent and dedication to the craft. In a recent interview with Hindi Rush, Kapur expressed her disappointment, stating that this practice is "unfair for people who work on their craft."

Kapur acknowledged that while the trend isn't entirely wrong, it is undeniably unfair to those who have dedicated years to honing their skills. She elaborated on the current recruitment landscape, where follower count often takes precedence. "These days, even recruitment happens based on follower count," she noted. She contrasted her own experience of taking 8-10 years to build a genuine following of 2.3 million with the overnight explosion of some individuals who amass 23 million followers, highlighting the disparity and questioning the system that enables it.

The choreographer, known for her work in popular films like "Heyy Babyy," "Saathiya," "Duplicate," and "Tees Maar Khan," emphasized that talent and social media presence are distinct entities. While she conceded that someone who can capture attention in a mere 15 seconds on social media is doing something right, she lamented the plight of talented actors in the industry who genuinely deserve a chance but are overlooked due to this trend.

Kapur further elaborated on her concerns, expressing her dismay at individuals who seemingly fake their craft on social media and still secure roles because of their large following. She feels particularly bad for those who invest significant time and effort in learning and perfecting their skills, only to be overshadowed by those with inflated online popularity. "I feel bad for those who actually spend time learning the craft," she said.

Adding to her critique, Kapur pointed out the "screwed up" cycle where a viral dance video leads to a surge in followers, which then convinces people to learn dance from them, disregarding experience and expertise. She also recalled instances where she was offered opportunities to open dance academies simply to be the face of the establishment, an offer she declined, deeming it as dishonest.

Kapur's statements echo similar sentiments shared by other Bollywood figures, including Urmila Matondkar, who has also spoken out against the increasing influence of social media following on casting decisions. Matondkar emphasized that talent should be the primary factor and that an actor's worth should be based on performance, not follower count.

While Kapur acknowledges the evolving nature of the industry and the undeniable impact of social media, her comments serve as a reminder of the importance of valuing genuine talent and the dedication required to master a craft. She hopes that the industry will recognize the potential harm in prioritizing social media presence over skill and provide opportunities for those who have diligently worked on their abilities.