Gulfam Khan Hussain voices concern over the toxic pursuit of online fame following influencer Misha Agarwal’s tragic death. She urges the industry and youth to value talent over trends in the age of viral gimmicks.
Actress Gulfam Khan Hussain, currently featuring in Gehna — Zevar Ya Zanjeer, has raised serious concerns over the rising obsession with social media fame. She believes the digital world has distorted our sense of self-worth, especially among the younger generation. “These days, we see less of the wise and more of the ‘otherwise’ on social media. Popularity often comes not from talent, but from gimmicks. And unfortunately, that’s becoming the norm,” Gulfam Khan Hussain, says.
Her comments come in the wake of the tragic death of 24-year-old influencer Misha Agarwal, who reportedly took her own life just two days before her 25th birthday, allegedly due to a drop in her follower count. Gulfam says the incident is heartbreaking but not surprising. “The pressure to maintain followers, likes, and views has taken a monstrous form — a hydra with many heads. It’s disturbing how many young influencers assess their life’s worth based on these numbers,” she explains.
Reflecting on the changing times, Gulfam shares a personal anecdote. “When I was growing up, our parents told us to study hard or risk ending up selling lemonade. Now, highly qualified individuals are selling lemonade by choice, gaining millions of followers. Whether they are skilled or not doesn’t matter — it’s the gimmick that makes them viral,” she says.
Despite believing in the philosophy of “to each their own,” the actress feels there needs to be a clear boundary. She says, “As actors who’ve dedicated decades to the craft, it can be disheartening to see influencers with no real acting skills getting roles or attention just because they’re popular online. Many of them can’t hold a candle to seasoned performers, yet the industry often overlooks talent for trends.”
Gulfam also holds the media accountable for this shift. “You attend an event, and no one notices you, but an influencer trending for the wrong reasons gets all the flashbulbs. Social media influencing has gone too far, and we must keep a check; not just for ourselves but for the younger generation who are most vulnerable to this illusion of instant fame,” she concludes.
