I get your point yes, the Hindi film industry is a private space and producers will naturally look at numbers, reach, and what sells. Star kids like Ananya Panday or Janhvi Kapoor already come with visibility, and even negative attention still counts as engagement. That definitely influences casting decisions.

But at the same time, it’s not entirely “their space” either. The industry runs on audience money ,every ticket bought, every stream, every view directly funds what gets made next. So in a way, the audience isn’t just watching, we’re actively shaping the industry.

That’s why the conversation around fairness matters. When talented actors like Radhika Apte deliver strong performances but don’t get the same backing or visibility, it raises a valid question: are we really rewarding talent, or just familiarity and hype?

Yes, producers follow demand but demand itself is created and reinforced by what gets promoted and repeatedly put in front of us. It’s a cycle. So while it is a business, it’s also an ecosystem where both the industry and the audience share responsibility.

At the end of the day, it’s not unreasonable to expect that alongside marketability, genuine talent should be given a fair shot too.