Dolly Singh gets real on influencer casting in Bollywood: ‘Marketing ka tareeka…’ – EXCLUSIVE
Dolly Singh has become one of India’s most loved and relatable content creators, a name that audiences instantly associate with sharp humour, bold honesty, and effortless charm. Born and raised in Nainital, Dolly began her journey as a stylist; slowly, she transitioned into creating fashion and lifestyle content on social media, where her witty sketches and iconic characters like “Raju ki Mummy” made her a household name.
Her rise from a small-town girl to a social-media powerhouse was built on authenticity. Over time, she transitioned from comedy sketches to brand collaborations, talk shows, and finally, acting, proving that her talent goes far beyond short-form videos. Today, she is the first influencer in India to receive the golden ring from Instagram.
Recently, in a conversation with India.com, she opened up about insecurities, self-confidence, the difference between acting in reels and films, and influencers being cast in films.
On Insecurities and Self-Confidence
Speaking candidly about her personal journey with confidence, Dolly said,
“Honestly, with insecurities and this kind of confidence, self-confidence, it just keeps happening. Some days you feel amazing about yourself and there are still some days when, you know, you wake up and you feel like, man, this would have been better for me, or that would have been better for me, or this and that.”
She admitted that the feeling of comparison never fully goes away, especially in the entertainment industry.
“Constant, you know, subconscious comparison keeps going on in the mind, that why don’t I have this, or why don’t my hair look like this, or why don’t my face look like this. And yes, you’re right that it’s a bit more in this industry because you, there are so many beautiful people around you, you know.”
But with time, Dolly learned to find balance and acceptance.
“As I’m growing older also, because I’m now about 30… another realization also comes to mind that there is no such thing in this world. There is no point. We all want to look good. We all want to look beautiful. You know.”
On the Difference Between Reel and Film Acting
Dolly also reflected on how different it feels to act on Instagram versus in front of a film camera.“The flavour of the audience is a bit different. Especially in comedy, we exaggerate a bit. And obviously, you’re creating a universe. The characters can be a bit over the top.”
She explained how film acting demands realism and depth. “When you’re acting in films, the difference is that it has to be more realistic. And the characters should feel like they’re lived-in characters… they should be believable,” she said.
Sharing her own learning experience, she said her first acting project, Baag Beeni Baag on Netflix, was not easy: “I had a lot of initial struggle with that. They did my workshop before the shoot. And it was just my workshop. So I felt really bad. I was like, I’m the only one who needs acting classes… but I was the only one who needed it.”
With time, Dolly found her rhythm. “Now when I do movies, I think I know what acting to do. That you’ll do it differently on Instagram. Because I’ve tried doing serious acting on Instagram. But people don’t buy it there. They’re like, what are you doing? Where did your comedy come from?”
Dolly Singh on influencers casting in film
Addressing the ongoing debate that content creators are “used” for movie promotions, Dolly offered a clear perspective.
“I think jo woh thing hai ki content creators ko use kiya jaata hai, I think aisa kuch nahi hai.”
She further added, ““This is not just in Bollywood, yeh duniya bhar mein, Hollywood mein bhi ho raha hai… marketing ke liye bahut tareeke dekhe jaate hain. Toh ek tareeka hai, agar kisi following wale ko bula lenge toh shayad unki promotion se kuch faayda ho.”
However, she believes genuine talent ultimately matters more than social-media numbers. Calling out an unfair industry trend, she added,“Ulta bhi hota hai ki kuch actors ko bulaaya jaata hai ki aapki toh following hi nahi hai, toh hum aapko nahi le sakte.”
Dolly concluded with a strong thought that sums up her belief in merit over metrics:
“Mujhe lagta hai unki acting achhi honi chahiye, chahe woh content creator ho, chahe struggling actor. Agar woh acting project ke liye ja rahe hain, toh unki acting achhi ho, bas wahi important hai.”
On Her Own Production and ‘Best Worst Date’
Speaking about her ongoing project Best Worst Date, which recently returned with Season 3 on Instagram, Dolly shared that her love for storytelling goes beyond acting. She revealed that she enjoys writing and always wanted to explore direction as well — and that’s how this project came to life.
Talking about her production house, Dollywood Productions, Dolly explained that there was a phase when her videos weren’t performing well, and she wasn’t getting the kind of acting opportunities she truly wanted. That’s when she decided to take charge of her own narrative.
From starting out as a content creator to evolving into an actor, writer, and now a producer, Dolly Singh’s journey is a true example of self-belief and evolution. She continues to prove that success doesn’t come from fitting into boxes — it comes from creating your own.
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