OTT Audience Backlash Over Alia Bhatt & Fatima

After the release of the Netflix movie “Aap Jaisa Koi”, under Dharma Productions, viewers were quick to notice the misfit casing of the female protagonist

Fatima Sana Shaikh is playing the role of the Bengali woman which is portrayed in the movie.

After seeing this casting the audiences couldn’t help but ask the question,

Why was a Bengali actress not chosen for the character?

Now, Fatima Shaikh is a phenomenal actress, but this isn’t about her, it’s about the authenticity of the character. We are in a generation where we value regional roots and authenticity.

Bengali cinema is filled with talented and beautiful actresses like Paol Swastika Mukherjee, Ritabhari Chakraborty,Parno Mittra, to the newest generation Sauraseni Maitra, Rukmini Maitra etc. Every single one can hold the grace and perform well.

The thing is all of them could have brought authenticity to the role. Not only do they possess a strong screen presence, but they understand the culture and how one behaves, acts and talks in Bengali culture.

However, this is not the the first time Dharma Productions is casting a Non Bengali actress to play a Bengali character, in the recent movie “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, the main female protagonist was a Bengali character which was played by Alia Bhatt.

The decision to cast outside the region feels like a missed opportunity to spotlight regional talent on a national platform.

As Indian storytelling becomes increasingly rooted in regional narratives, casting must also evolve.