Actress Saba Azad, currently basking in the release of her crime thriller series Crime Beat, recently shared her views on social media and its growing influence on casting in the entertainment industry. The show, which also stars Saqib Saleem, premiered today on Zee5.

In a conversation with Money Control, Azad admitted to having a complicated relationship with social media. “I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with social media,” she confessed, acknowledging that she is not particularly adept at maintaining a consistent online presence. “There are days when I post for three days in a row, and then I might go two months without posting at all.”

Despite her mixed feelings, Azad recognized social media as a valuable tool for staying informed. She noted how it has made access to real-time news easier, stating, “The world is shrinking in a way where every individual can see what’s happening globally in the palm of their hand. That wasn’t possible before.”

However, she also highlighted the growing trend of casting decisions being influenced by an individual’s social media following rather than their acting talent. “People are being cast based on the number of followers they have, even if they are not actors or have no prior interest in acting,” she said. Azad acknowledged that while she herself secures brand work through social media, this shift in the industry comes with both benefits and drawbacks.

Emphasizing the importance of staying grounded, she urged people to differentiate between the digital and real world. “As long as you understand that social media is not real life but ‘reel’ life and that you must live in reality, I think you’ll be alright,” she concluded.

Directed by Sudhir Mishra and Sanjeev Kaul, Crime Beat features an ensemble cast including Ranvir Shorey, Sai Tamhankar, Danish Hussain, Rahul Bhat, Rajesh Tailang, Addinath Kothare, and Saba Azad. The gripping crime thriller is now available for streaming on Zee5.