The downside of social media can also be a double-edged sword of online bullying, hate and harassment. That’s exacting what happening with celebs these days. Now, the glitz and glam of a social media profile often helps an actor secure a role. However, seasoned actor Joy Sengupta feels it has always been there.
“People used to sell themselves earlier as well just like they do now. The only difference is previously people used to sell their merits and talent. For that, one needs to dedication, perseverance and tenacity. But now people try to be famous on social media without even having a talent. For instance, even if they don’t know how to sing or dance they will lip sync and post the video or make a dance reel. The interesting thing is we always watch something on our phone whether it is good or bad. That’s how the views increase but you have to keep that in mind these views on social media can’t justify one’s talent,” explained the actor who was seen in the recently released film ‘City Of Jackles’.
Since making his debut with ‘Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa’ (1988), Joy has been straddling between parallel cinema, commercial genres and the stage with equal ease. According to the actor, he sees acting in three broad categories — performing art, communication and mainstream, “Artistic performances are for a very minimal number of audience to appreciate. Communication mainly comprises folk theatre while mainstream always has the pulse of the larger audience and what works with them. I merely try to strike a balance between the three without majorly compromising with my aspirations as an actor.”
Sharing his thoughts on acting on stage and screen, Sengupta explains: “There is no place to hide for an actor on stage unlike in cinema where an actor can hide behind various technological techniques, and a performance can be enhanced by various means and devices. There is an editing process which can take away the bad stuff, keep the good stuff and create magic. There are effects and special effects which enhance the image and then of course there are camera angles and lenses which interpret an actor’s acting in a flattering way.”