Manas Shah on Why the Industry Needs Better Actors

Actor Manas Shah has a strong message for the entertainment industry: stop chasing social media numbers and start investing in genuine acting talent.

Best known for his role in Yeh Hai Chahatein, Shah believes the industry has gradually lost its focus. According to him, many producers and casting teams now prioritize influencers with massive followings over performers with real acting skills. As a result, deserving actors are often overlooked while personalities with little acting experience secure major opportunities.

Speaking about the current scenario, Shah said that the industry has shifted from recognizing talent to rewarding popularity. Consequently, he warned that this growing trend could negatively impact both television and cinema in the long run.

The Social Media Boom Is Changing Casting Decisions

Over the past few years, social media has dramatically transformed the entertainment business. However, Shah believes that this transformation has also created a major problem.

According to him, many influencers who lack even the basic understanding of acting are landing acting projects simply because they have millions of followers online. While he acknowledges that popularity can help attract audiences, he feels that casting should never ignore talent.

Moreover, Shah believes that a familiar face may initially bring viewers to a project, but only strong performances can keep them invested. If acting ability is overlooked completely, he argues, the overall quality of films and television inevitably suffers.

Television Actors Have Already Broken Those Barriers

At the same time, Shah feels that one long-standing misconception has finally disappeared.

Around a decade ago, television actors often struggled to find opportunities in films. Nevertheless, he believes that several successful performers changed that perception forever.

He pointed to late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, along with Vidya Balan and Shah Rukh Khan, as examples of artists who proved that television could produce exceptional talent. Because of their success, the gap between television and films has become much smaller than it once was.

Therefore, Shah believes today’s actors face entirely different challenges.

The Core of Acting Remains the Same

Although every platform demands a different style of performance, Shah insists that the foundation of acting never changes.

He explained that theatre requires actors to command a live audience, television often revolves around strong writing, while films are largely shaped by the director’s vision.

Even so, creativity, discipline, dedication, emotional honesty, and commitment remain essential across every medium. According to Shah, the techniques may evolve, but the soul of acting always stays the same.

“People Don’t Want Actors Anymore”

Perhaps Shah’s strongest observation was about the industry’s changing priorities.

According to him, typecasting is no longer the biggest concern for actors. Instead, the industry has become increasingly focused on finding personalities who can instantly generate attention.

He clarified that there is nothing wrong with hiring someone who already has a large fan following. However, he questioned what happens when those personalities fail to keep audiences engaged through their performances.

In his opinion, attracting viewers is only the first step. Retaining them requires genuine acting talent. Therefore, Shah believes this growing imbalance is one of the major reasons the entertainment industry has witnessed a gradual decline.

Indian Television Has Changed Significantly

Shah also reflected on how much Indian television has evolved over the years.

He recalled a time when dozens of fiction shows across multiple channels enjoyed tremendous success. Back then, compelling storytelling and memorable performances consistently attracted loyal viewers.

Today, however, he believes the landscape looks very different.

According to Shah, fewer shows dominate the ratings, and the standards for success have changed considerably. As a result, he finds it disappointing to witness the industry’s creative transformation.

Choosing Creativity Over Waiting for Opportunities

Rather than waiting for someone else to offer him meaningful work, Shah has decided to create opportunities for himself.

To achieve that, he has launched his own production house, where he plans to develop stories that genuinely excite him creatively.

Although producing original content involves considerable financial risk, Shah says he is prepared to invest his own money if necessary. More importantly, he values creative satisfaction over commercial security.

Even if a project does not succeed financially, he believes the experience of creating something authentic will always be worthwhile.

He’s Looking for Roles That Push His Limits

Interestingly, Shah is not searching for any particular type of character.

Instead, he wants roles that challenge him emotionally and creatively. Whether it is a villain, a comic role, or an unconventional character, he is eager to explore performances that demand complete transformation.

Furthermore, he believes that once an actor truly understands a character, they naturally begin to understand how that person would react in every emotional situation.

Because of this philosophy, Shah remains open to almost any role that offers something fresh and unexpected.

Inspired by Performances That Broke New Ground

While discussing memorable performances, Shah highlighted actors who embraced unconventional characters.

He praised Amitabh Bachchan for his remarkable role in Paa, where he portrayed a child living with progeria. Similarly, he admired Aamir Khan’s performance in 3 Idiots, calling it another example of fearless experimentation.

For Shah, these performances demonstrate that audiences appreciate originality when actors commit wholeheartedly to their craft.

Consequently, he hopes filmmakers will trust him with similarly ambitious and challenging characters in the future.

Reality Television Is Now His Biggest Priority

Although Shah has worked across television, films, and OTT platforms, one area still remains unexplored.

Reality television.

Unlike fictional projects, reality shows would allow audiences to meet the real Manas Shah rather than the characters he portrays on screen.

He admitted that he has never been someone who frequently attends public events or celebrity appearances. Therefore, reality television offers him the perfect opportunity to reveal his genuine personality, opinions, and thought process.

Whether viewers accept him or not, Shah says he simply wants people to know the person behind the performances.

His Comments Reflect a Bigger Industry Debate

Ultimately, Shah’s observations extend far beyond his own career.

Today, many actors are questioning whether talent is gradually taking a back seat to popularity, social media influence, and digital reach. While online fame undoubtedly helps with marketing, Shah believes lasting success still depends on compelling performances and meaningful storytelling.

At the same time, his decision to establish his own production house demonstrates that he is not merely criticizing the industry. Instead, he is actively working toward creating the kind of content he believes audiences truly deserve.

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, Shah hopes the industry will once again place acting talent at the center of every great story.