'Not Taken Seriously': Dolly Singh Feels Influencers Are 'Used' In films For Strong Following | Exclusive

Dolly Singh made her big Bollywood debut with Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Thank You For Coming, but proving herself as more than just an influencer has been a continuous struggle. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Dolly Singh revealed the harsh reality of how the industry treats influencers. Dolly Singh on fewer Bollywood opportunities Admitting that she believes influencers aren't taken seriously, Dolly shared, "When you come from an influencer background, people don't take you seriously as an actor. Often, the roles offered are limited to two minutes as a best friend or sister. Then you have to show up for promotions because they need your follower base. As an influencer, you feel very used, and you don't get the time to showcase your acting." "It can feel like a double-edged sword - you get opportunities, but not the kind you really want to explore. People also question why influencers are even cast in films. But I want to change that perception with my work. I believe my work will speak for me, and I am ready to take on that challenge," she concluded. Taking matters into her own hands, Dolly made her own series titled Best Worst Date, which premiered on September 23, 2025, on Instagram and YouTube, marking a milestone as India's very first micro-drama to have three successful seasons. Talking about her series, she revealed the biggest challenge she faces and shared, "As a content creator, the entire challenge is connecting with the audience. Social media trends come and go so quickly. So, it's so hard to keep up as a content creator. That is our challenge, I think." Dolly Singh on facing Trolls Dolly enjoys a fan following of 1.5 million, but this didn't spare her from online trolling. While she now exudes confidence, the actress once struggled with criticism and even tried to gain weight to silence her detractors. In the chat, Dolly also opened up about her journey, shared advice for young girls, and spoke about dealing with negativity despite years of hard work. Speaking about online toxicity, she said, "I don't know why, but I feel like our society is going backwards. We are becoming more conservative again. It's very sad to watch on social media -- young boys making weird, creepy comments about girls. It doesn't look good. I hope that changes quickly." She further reflected on how easy it is for people to comment on others' lives under the guise of care. "In our society, it's so easy to shame someone in small talk. People think they can say anything. But girls especially need to realise that no one's opinion matters except their own." Offering advice to young girls, she added, "Whether it's your friend, your parents, or your relatives, nobody's opinion matters. Do what you have to do and feel good about yourself."