To be a young, new actor in the past few years has been extraordinarily difficult, and actor Maahir Mohiuddin understands the uphill battle faced by those who don’t have industry ties. “It’s very hard to break into the film industry , especially when you are an actor with no connections,” says the up-and-comer, who has primarily worked on stage and short films. The actor, who will next be seen in the Kannada film Vritta, adds, “It’s almost unimaginable because someone is essentially putting their money in you.
They’re betting on your potential. And because the industry often works on populist values, sometimes it’s your number of followers that determines whether you get the part or not.” Excerpts from a chat: When you’re on stage, it’s like you’re living in the moment.
There are no second chances. It’s a real kick. That’s the beauty of theatre.
It’s just you and your co-actors playing with each other. That’s why it’s called a play Mahir Mohiuddin ‘AS THRILLING AS THEATRE IS, IT CANNOT SUSTAIN YOU’ Theatre is thriving right now. Shows are selling out, even on weekdays.
While there’s a clear audience for theatre, making a sustainable living from it is still a challenge. We have a long way to go in terms of profitability. And as a theatre actor , it’s not a sustainable source of income - voiceover work and ads are my primary source of income.
When I decided to become an actor, I started with theatre, then ads started coming in and then I did a few short films. People have chosen to work with influencers based on their follower numbers, even if they aren’t actors. Prioritising followers over an individual’s talent can discourage aspiring actors Maahir Mohiuddin ‘TRANSITIONING TO FILMS FROM THEATRE HAS BEEN A BATTLE’ I’ve faced issues where I've been selected for a role, but still have not materialised as full-fledged roles.
And as someone with no connections, I also got a sense that there is a lot of gatekeeping here in the Kannada film industry , which has made it difficult to break in. Of course, gatekeeping exists in all film industries. Casting systems are getting more organised, but it's still influenced by personal connections.
There’s also the emphasis on follower numbers over talent. There was a time when I was shortlisted for an OTT series, but the final decision came down to follower count. People have chosen to work with influencers based on their follower numbers, even if they aren’t actors.
Prioritising followers over an individual’s talent can discourage aspiring actors. Despite the struggle, I know nobody can stop me from acting. I don’t have to wait for studios, films and big projects and big breaks.
.. what do I need to be an actor? All I need is a script Maahir Mohiuddin ‘ AUDIENCES ARE TIRED OF THE SAME PEOPLE MAKING THE SAME FILMS’ From the point of view of the audience, I believe we get tired of seeing the same people making the same kinds of films.
The industry needs fresh faces and new stories to keep audiences engaged. I believe the past year was a great example of this; Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare, Aachar & Co were phenomenal films – they were different and they really worked in their own spaces – that was refreshing to see. As an actor, you just spend your days waiting.
Waiting for the right role, the right film, the right people and the right breakthrough – your life is like an act of longing Maahir Mohiuddin ‘IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE FRESH PERSPECTIVES BECOME MAINSTREAM IN KANNADA CINEMA’ There are so many languages in Karnataka, so many unexplored cultures, untapped stories. I'm thrilled to see these stories gaining international recognition. It’s important to invest in stories that are authentic and relatable, as they are more likely to connect with audiences.
I hope this trend continues to grow. I believe it’s only a matter of time before these new voices and fresh perspectives become mainstream..
