Zoya Hussain talks about being ‘dropped’ from projects because of less followers on Instagram: “Craft has very little to do with most things”

Bhaiyya Ji actor Zoya Hussain recalled being dropped from projects for not having more number of Instagram followers.

June 5, 2024 - 12:43 PM IST

Notable for her breakthrough role in Disney+ Hotstar series Grahan and Anurag Kashyap's Mukkabaaz, Zoya has claimed that she has been "dropped" from projects due to her Instagram having less followers.

Zoya Hussain talks about being ‘dropped’ from projects because of less followers on Instagram: “Craft has very little to do with most things”

Zoya Hussain discussed her Bollywood journey in an interview with Indian Express. She talked about how the experience has tried her tolerance, made her reflect, broken her from the inside out, but also given her the drive to keep going. “Craft has very little to do with most things, unfortunately, that’s how it rolls,” the actor says as she opened up about her career.”

“After Mukkabaaz, all my releases were during the pandemic. Bhaiyya Ji was my first theatrical release after that. That has been the case for most actors, who debuted around the same time, have pretty much gone through the same thing. At least the outsiders, who are not launched with a huge platform, who are not marketed, and PR pushed. I have gone for auditions, met people, people have reached out to me. I try and make the best out of the choice that I have.” Said Zoya when asked about her criteria to say yes, to a project.

She also talked about what kind of projects the actor wouldn’t do. “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.”

“I don’t know if it is Instagram specifically, but I have been dropped from projects in the past for either having less followers or not being well known. That is definitely something that I have faced.” Zoya mentioned about how casting calls are now dependent on the follower count of a celebrity.

Currently starring in Bhaiyya Ji, Zoya Hussain has previously been in the music videos for Prateek Kuhad's ‘Cold Mess’, ‘When Chai Met Toast’, and the Prime Video series Big Girls Don't Cry. The performer says it feels exciting since, unlike celebrity kids, she wasn't given anything on a platter and didn't have "marketing or PR push" behind her. Bhaiyya Ji is Zoya’s first theatrical release since her 2017 debut.

Also Read: Zoya Hussain, Jim Sarbh launch a YouTube show Crew Cut, first episode out; watch