Mumbai, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actress Gouri Tonnk, currently seen as Madhavi Shah in the family drama Tu Hi Re Dil Mein, has spoken about the changing perception of talent in the entertainment industry, saying social media following is increasingly being linked with an actor’s ability.
Gouri, known for her roles as Jasleen in Teri Meri Doriyaann and Sakshi Chaudhary in Deewaniyat, said social media has altered how talent is perceived.
“The concept of stardom has not changed, but in my opinion, the concept of talent has changed with social media,” she said.
The actress said she has heard of actors being rejected for roles because they do not have a large social media following.
“I mean, what does someone’s talent have to do with their social media followers?” she questioned.
Gouri also rejected comparisons between making short-form social media content and the demands of acting in television shows, films or OTT projects. She pointed out that professional actors often work throughout the day, perform multiple takes and continue shooting despite exhaustion or illness.
“Sometimes we have a fever, sometimes we are ill, and even after that we go and deliver a performance where the viewer doesn’t even get the slightest idea that this girl or this guy might be unwell at the moment,” she said.
Recalling a demanding experience from Teri Meri Doriyaann, Gouri said she once had to perform an emotionally intense scene despite having completely lost her voice. The scene involved her character believing that her son had died and required extensive crying and emotional expression.
She informed the director about her condition and rehearsed the sequence without using her voice. The scene was eventually completed in a single take and approved.
Gouri said viewers watching the episode would not have realised that she had lost her voice while performing the scene.
She also highlighted the financial pressures faced by television productions, saying the relatively limited budgets make it difficult to cancel an entire day’s shoot when an actor falls ill.
“Film budgets are big; they can mold things a little, which is a good thing again, but for TV, our poor producers don’t have enough budget to cancel the day’s shoot,” she said.
Gouri is also known for shows including Kaamnaa, Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and Kaahin Kissii Roz.
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