From Katwa to Kolkata: The 15-Year Struggle and Star-Power Debate of Actress Mouli Dutta

Kolkata: Actress Mouli Dutta has opened up about her arduous 15-year journey in the Bengali entertainment industry, detailing her transition from a dedicated dancer to a seasoned actress, the immense struggles she faced without a support system, and her current frustration with the industry’s shift from valuing talent to prioritizing social media followers and influencer status.

A Dancer’s Early Dream

Hailing from Katwa, a mofussil town in Burdwan district, Mouli Dutta’s creative path began early with dance. Since the age of three or four, she would travel to Kolkata for dance classes, regularly participating in stage shows and competitions. However, a foot injury eventually limited her progress in dance, pushing her focus toward other artistic avenues.

The shift to acting came in Class 8 when she secured her first major television role as the second lead, Prafulla, in the serial Prafulla Debi Chowdhurani on Ruposhi Bangla. This opportunity, which came after a selection process from thousands of applicants, marked the start of a now 15-year-long acting career.

Struggle Without a Godfather

Mouli candidly described the intense hardships of building a career with no industry contacts or “godfathers”. She revealed that her inability to “butter up” or engage in extensive social networking (“PR level bishon kom”) was a significant hurdle.

“I would often spend the whole night sitting in the waiting room of Howrah Station with my family, or stay in a cheap lodge, before heading straight to the set in the morning,” she shared, highlighting the sacrifices made in the early days. Her family was the primary financial and emotional backbone, supporting her dream of seeing her on the screen.

The Digital Dilemma: Talent vs. Followers

In recent years, Mouli has embraced the digital world, starting to vlog and create content on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram since late 2021/2022. This move, she explained, was essential to “keep up with the times” and increase her reach.

However, this transition has brought her face-to-face with a disheartening trend in the professional sphere. The actress strongly critiqued the current industry practice of prioritizing an artist’s social media following over their skill.

“Now, when you go for work, they ask for your Instagram ID or your Facebook page to check your follower count. This is a matter of concern. Follower count matters in influencing, but not in acting,” they stated.

She expressed her deep-seated belief that she is underutilized and “deserves much better” roles and opportunities. She worries that while she has the talent, others with higher follower counts or better networking skills are given priority, even being cast as leads despite a potential lack of acting proficiency.

Despite the ongoing struggle and the current state of the industry, Mouli Dutta remains resolute, hoping that one day her talent will be justly recognized and she will receive the opportunities she believes she truly deserves.