Exclusive: Prajakta Koli breaks the myth around influencer casting in Bollywood movies

Prajakta Koli’s journey from a social media content creator to a mainstream actor is often cited as proof that digital platforms have democratised the entertainment industry. The actress, who stepped into the acting arena with the OTT show Mismatched, followed by a part in the film Jugjugg Jeeyo. She was recently seen in the web show Single Papa.Today, as content creators increasingly venture into movies and series, the casting process itself has come under scrutiny. There is a growing perception that follower counts on Instagram can outweigh acting ability, reducing casting decisions to metrics rather than merit. This shift has sparked resentment among trained actors who feel sidelined by algorithms and reach. Prajakta, however, approaches this debate with nuance rather than dismissal, saying, “Honestly, if projects were handed out purely on the basis of follower count, I would’ve cracked every audition I’ve given. And I’ve given a lot of auditions over the last six years. This is a business. There are many people involved, and huge amounts of money are at stake. No producer can afford to invest crores of rupees in someone who isn’t right for the role just because they have followers.” She further adds, “Every project I’ve been a part of has required rigorous auditions, workshops, and preparation. So, I can’t sit here and make a blanket statement saying it’s all untrue. For those who’ve experienced being cast or rejected because of numbers, that reality is real for them. And you can’t take that away from their lived experience.”