‘I don’t have followers on Instagram, so am I not a good actor?’

A two-year-old video of Kanwarjit Paintal has found a second life online, resonating widely for reasons the actor says were always obvious. “Even though this video was made two years ago, many people are relating to it,” he says.

The core of his message, he clarifies, was never about a personal grievance, but about a troubling trend he had been observing. “It came to light that many producers and channel officials wanted to cast actors who have a huge Instagram following. That didn’t make sense.”

He adds, “It is very insulting for good actors, who work so hard, take training and understand the craft. I am not tech-savvy. I don’t even know how to put my reel on Instagram. How can somebody like me have followers? So, am I not a good actor? I have been an actor for 58 years. I have done almost 400 films, 30-40 serials, including Mahabharat.”

The viral clip, he explains, was born out of a simple intent — to push back, lightly but firmly. “This message should go out that you need to choose talent over followers. Once I experienced this too, when a casting person said, ‘Sorry, they want actors with followers.’”

Paintal, who is almost 80, says, “When a role goes to someone only because of his online following, it is unfair to somebody else who deserves it. If someone has 2 million followers, will his show also have 2 million viewers? No, that doesn’t happen. I have achieved what I had to do. But I want deserving people to get their due and hence I am speaking about this. Talent should matter, not Insta followers.”