Parakh Madan, who is currently seen in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, recently shared her honest thoughts on the realities of the entertainment industry, especially around networking, visibility, and the hesitation many actors feel when asking for work.
The actress believes that while talent remains extremely important, visibility and professional networking have become equally necessary in today’s highly competitive entertainment space. According to Parakh, ego is often one of the biggest reasons actors hold themselves back from actively reaching out and staying visible in the industry.
Talking about the issue, she said, “I think ego sometimes holds people back in our industry. Asking for work is often seen as a sign of desperation. People sometimes feel that if they are talented enough, work will find them. But I personally feel like that’s a misconception. In an industry as competitive as ours, I think visibility is extremely important and professional networking is essential.”
Her statement highlighted how many actors continue to struggle with approaching casting directors, producers, or industry professionals because they fear being judged or appearing desperate.
I think ego sometimes holds people back in our industry. Asking for work is often seen as a sign of desperation. People sometimes feel that if they are talented enough, work will find them
– Parakh Madan
“Waiting should never be a strategy”
Parakh Madan further explained that simply waiting for opportunities is no longer enough in an industry that constantly evolves and moves quickly. According to her, actors need to take initiative rather than hope that work will come to them on its own.
She said, “It has always been important for actors to reach out rather than just wait for opportunities to knock on their doors. If you aren’t actively reaching out, you’re essentially staying invisible in a room full of people shouting for attention. Taking the initiative to reach out and stay connected is one of the basic ways of staying relevant.”
The actress noted that the entertainment industry is filled with talented individuals, making visibility even more important. In such an environment, remaining passive can often lead to people being overlooked despite their talent and potential.
Parakh’s perspective reflects the changing dynamics of the entertainment business, where actors today are expected not only to perform well but also to maintain professional relationships, stay active on social media, and continually remind people of their presence.
“Talent will always remain the core”
Despite stressing the importance of networking, Parakh also made it clear that she still believes talent remains the foundation of acting and cannot be replaced.
Talking about balancing talent with industry awareness, she said, “I think the core of the craft will always remain pure talent. But looking at the speed at which things are changing, educating ourselves about the technical know-how and some basic entrepreneurial skills are also becoming essential.”
Her statement reflected how the modern entertainment industry now demands more than just acting skills. Actors today are often expected to understand branding, social media visibility, professional communication, and even self-management as part of their careers.
According to Parakh, the industry is changing rapidly, and adapting to these changes has become important for survival and growth.
“People in power are often placed on a pedestal”
The actress also spoke about the hesitation many actors experience while reaching out to casting directors, producers, and showrunners. She believes that the hierarchy within the entertainment industry often makes people feel uncomfortable about initiating conversations regarding work opportunities.
She said, “It places casting directors, producers, and showrunners on a pedestal. This can make the act of reaching out feel like disturbing someone higher up the chain.”
Parakh further explained how the pressure and fast-paced nature of the entertainment world intensify this hesitation.
“In the entertainment industry, where the professional environment is high-pressure and incredibly fast-paced, that hesitation is amplified by the fear of being seen as needy sometimes,” she added.
Her words resonated with the experiences of many aspiring and working actors who often hesitate to market themselves because they fear judgment or rejection.
“As actors, our entire job is built on vulnerability”
Offering a more encouraging perspective, Parakh Madan explained that actors should not feel embarrassed about putting themselves out there because vulnerability is already an essential part of their profession.
She said, “Putting ourselves out there can feel like displaying our vulnerability. But as actors, our entire job is built on vulnerability. We bare our souls on camera or on stage, so why shy away from asking for work?”
The actress emphasised that professional outreach should not be viewed negatively. Instead, she believes it should be seen as a practical and necessary step in maintaining visibility within the industry.
Ending her thoughts on a realistic note, Parakh said, “No one is thinking about your career as much as you do. So, reaching out and reminding the people concerned that you exist isn’t a nuisance; it’s a helpful update for their casting database.”
Her honest and practical perspective offered insight into the realities of the entertainment industry, where talent, visibility, networking, and initiative all play an important role in shaping an actor’s career.
