From not making TikToks to getting rejected for a web show for having less social media presence, Reem Shaikh makes shocking revelations of the showbiz industry

Reem Shaikh has been currently entertaining her fans with Laughter Chefs 2. The actress has practically grown up on TV show sets, as she has been working since childhood. While having a conversation with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, the actress made candid revelations about the harsh side of the Industry. Here's what she shared:

I am very content where I am today. People come and tell me I am a social media star, but I know that I am not. What my friends are today on social media, with the kind of followers and fan base that they have. I don't have it, but I am happy. I wouldn't have been able to do that. If my heart doesn't agree to something, then I wouldn't do it, even if you force me to do it. And that is why somewhere I knew I won't be able to make content on TikTok, the way my friends did. And I don't regret it.

Bohot mehnat lagti hai, and Jannat and all did a fantastic job. But I know how much effort you need to put in all of that. I know, even my father used to taunt me that I didn't tap on that when all these social media handles were booming. But nobody understands that I used to shoot for 12-13 hours a day and then travel for 4 hours, how would I have time to make reels and videos then?

Female leads in TV barely get time to even breathe. Unless and until you are that big star who can demand that you will work for 8 hours, only do close-ups and let the body double do the master shots. You need to reach that level, but I am still not there. People didn't realise that I was working rigorously in TV, and I wouldn't have been able to juggle it. I chose that path because what I was happy and I am content.

Earlier, it used to be less, but now this has become a serious issue. Producers now discuss that they should take a certain artist because they have more followers and reach. They discuss among actors who have more or less followers. Producers with whom I have homely relations have told me how they have a lot of pressure during casting. Some of them also rejected me, saying, 'Aapki acting acchi hai, but woh actress ke followers aur reach aapse zyada hai.' I was told this for a web show.

Now I am from Mumbai, and I know that I have my mom right next to me. If I get rejected, I can run back to my mom and share my sadness. But those who come from different cities and are living away from their family. This would be so difficult to handle. You need to be emotionally and mentally strong to take such rejections. One needs to get practical in this Industry because it is all about rejections.