Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: April 18, 2023 | 
| 中文
Kinza Hashmi and Khushal Khan
TikTok has become a game-changer in the entertainment industry, providing an avenue for new actors to showcase their talents and gain recognition. However, as social media fame continues to rise, concerns are now being raised about the quality of actors being cast in major productions.
Alizeh Shah
Over the past few years, there has been a trend of social media influencers being cast in TV shows and films. While this has given new talent a chance to be discovered, production houses have often prioritized social media popularity over acting skills, resulting in sub-par performances that negatively affect the quality of productions. The success of TikTokers in the entertainment industry is primarily due to their enormous social media following, which they use to promote their work and increase viewership. Some people argue that this trend undermines the importance of traditional acting skills, while others believe it provides a platform for new talent to be discovered and cultivated.
Khushal Khan
One of the first prominent examples of this trend in Pakistan was Alizay Shah, who landed a significant role in Ehd-e-Wafa after gaining popularity on TikTok. While her acting skills were scrutinized in subsequent shows, she is not alone in her journey from social media to television. Other TikTokers who have made the transition to acting include Shahveer Jafry, who debuted in the TV series Baarwa Khilari, and Amna Yousufzai, who appeared in the drama Fairytale and Romaisa Khan, who is appearing in the Ramazan drama Chand Tara. Although Jafry's acting skills were deemed questionable, he landed a major ad campaign after the series aired, thanks to his social media following. Similarly, Yousufzai and Khan’s acting abilities remain uncertain, despite her success in modeling and short skits on social media.
Amna Yousufzai
However, not all social media picks have been controversial. For instance, Dananeer Mobeen, who gained fame with her "Pawri Ho Rahi Hai" video, displayed excellent acting skills in the drama Sinf-e-Aahan. She has now been cast in several other plays. Similarly, Khushal Khan Khattak, who starred in ISPR's telefilm Aik Hai Nigar, has done a few television dramas, showcasing his range as an actor. Tamkeenat and Taimoor, who debuted in the comedy play Kala Dorya, have also received praise from viewers. They are known for making comedy skits on TikTok.
Dananeer Mobeen in Sinf-e-Aahan
Despite the mixed results of casting TikTok stars in television and film productions, it is undeniable that social media has created a new avenue for aspiring actors to showcase their talent. However, while these platforms provide ample exposure, they do not guarantee the development of an actor's skills or ensure their qualifications for a role. Therefore, production houses should start conducting casting calls and auditions, especially when seeking to cast new talent in particular roles. This will help weed out the actors who lack the necessary skills, and ensure that only talented actors are cast in major productions.
Shahveer Jafry
Even established actors have complained about losing out on roles because they do not have a certain number of followers on social media platforms. This has led to some legendary actors in the industry lip-syncing to trending TikTok audios and following social media trends, even when they are ridiculous and unbecoming of an actor of their stature.
While we criticize this trend in Pakistan, it must be noted that casting TikTokers in television and film productions is not limited to our country alone, as it is increasingly common in other parts of the world. However, in other parts of the world, even TikTok stars have to go through auditions and screen tests before landing roles.
Romaisa Khan
So, to sum it up TikTok and other social media platforms have brought a large pool of fresh talent to production houses and given producers access to vast audiences that they can easily target through social media platforms. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between utilizing social media exposure and prioritizing acting ability and potential. Producers should aim to incorporate casting calls and auditions as part of their selection process, to ensure that they are not only hiring skilled performers but also individuals who are a good fit for the project and have the necessary chemistry with the rest of the cast.
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