To make it in Bollywood, it used to be that actors needed five basic essentials: talent, looks, timing, a winning headshot and a good agent.
But these days, those looking to score big need to add another item to that list, one that could mean the difference between a lucrative acting gig and the unemployment line: a sizable social media following.
As Facebook, Twitter and Instagram permeate every corner of our lives, their impact is also being felt in Bollywood.
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh from operation theatre shares his picture and tweet on twitter.
When it comes to landing that coveted gig, a social media presence is becoming nearly as important as an on-stage one.
While casting directors insist it’s talent — not an actor’s online popularity — that matters most, they also acknowledge that, increasingly, performers who have a strong social media following are more likely to get hired than those who don’t.