Farhan Akhtar on social media casting: 'Nobody with a massive number of followers could sustain a long career if they’re not talented' | Exclusive

Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar has always been at the forefront of storytelling that resonates with audiences. With his latest production, Netflix's Dabba Cartel, he once again pushes creative boundaries. In an exclusive interview with OTTplay, Akhtar delves into what excites him creatively, the evolving landscape of OTT content, and the hot debate around social media-driven casting.

Importance of engagement in storytelling

Engagement, he believes, is the most critical aspect of storytelling. The filmmaker told us, “Engagement, I think, is the most important thing. You know, whether you're watching something or reading something, if it's not engaging you, then it doesn't work. Looking in and being involved are two different things. So I feel, if something can involve you, where the stakes of that character become your stakes, you're so involved in it, that's what you're looking for. That's what you're hoping will happen with anything that you're creating and that you're making. So, which is why, when you talk about even the drug angle with this and the morality of drugs, it's not really about—the show is not about drugs. The show is about rooting for these five or six women who are caught in a situation that is completely getting out of hand. When you have that human connection with someone else's circumstance, that makes viewing really, really incredible for me.”

ALSO READ: Dabba Cartel Review: Shabana Azmi and crew lay the ground for 'Narcos Thane' with dazzling flair 

Future of feel-good content on OTT

With OTT platforms known for darker, grittier content, some wonder if feel-good, big-screen entertainers like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Chahta Hai have a place in this evolving space. Akhtar disagrees and says, “No, not at all. I mean, stories have to be well told; I think that's really what's important. And, I mean, we did Eternally Confused and Eager for Love (on Netflix). So, I mean, there was, like, a light-hearted coming-of-age show; it was appreciated in its own way. So, I mean, there's space for all kinds of, all kinds of content. It's, I mean, the focus really has to be on creating it well.”

Social media-driven casting: A balanced perspective

Ethan Hawke recently called casting actors based on Instagram followers “crazy,” and Vikrant Massey termed it an “epidemic.” Akhtar, however, has a more measured take. He shared, “Can I tell you honestly? I have heard about this vis-à-vis brands. When there's a brand association or that kind of thing that comes along, that's where I've really heard about it. I personally have not, kind of, maybe, because as producers, we're not looking for it. We are trying to cast people who we like for a film, so we are not going and checking out their social media handles and seeing how many people are following them, but I mean, maybe it's something that is happening. And again, who are we to say what is right and what is wrong? Somebody who is looking for something, and if this is important to them, that defines them as people (laughs), just let them be. You know what I mean? I don't know. I mean, everything can be okay and everything can be not okay. It depends on how you look at it. So if you don't see things from another person's perspective, it will always feel wrong. All I can say is that no matter what, nobody with a massive number of followers could sustain a long career if they're not talented.”

Keeping audiences hooked in the digital era

In today's digital era, where attention spans are shrinking, how does he ensure a story remains compelling enough for binge-watching? Instinct plays a crucial role for Akhtar, who adds, “Also on this, all you have is an instinct here, honestly, and you have to be true to that. You don't have a choice. Even if you're going to fail, if that's eventually what's going to happen, you'd rather still do it on your own belief, as opposed to on somebody else's, because then you'll have someone to blame. That might make you bitter that I should have not listened; I should have heard my inner voice. So at least if you're living with your own idea of what you consider is good and what you consider is bad, while educating yourself at all times as to what is also happening around you, I think that's really important. And I don't mean by social media, you know. I mean by the news, reading books, travelling, and getting a sense of what the world is like. Because, I mean, that evolution is part of a filmmaker's journey.”

Dabba Cartel is currently streaming on Netflix.

ALSO READ: Dabba Cartel Ending Explained: Will Sheela Baa and gang work for Chacko? Where is Hari?