Actor Tamannaah Bhatia agrees that social media is an important tool for every artiste today. But she has a few concerns as well. “I feel once artistes and public figures have control over the narrative, it’s a great tool,” says Bhatia.

The actor, who has in the past been ranked as Forbes’ 10th most influential social media star in south cinema, continues, “I enjoy social media, but one needs to find a balance. Our generation does not understand who is using whom. There should only be so much you should give to this tool [and not let it drive you crazy]. The tool shouldn’t be using you.”

The number of likes is something that affects a majority of social media users. The lower the number, the greater the anxiety. Ask the 32-year-old if she has ever been affected or has seen fellow celebs get obsessed with numbers, and she denies it. But she does share, “I don’t know how this matter is ever going to get addressed. We weren’t born in these times, we have been without social media and phones, and we know how to live without them.”

The Baahubali actor goes on, “However, the next generation will be the worst affected. They start judging (due to social media exposure) at a tender age. I feel as artistes, we should communicate, especially to Gen-Z, that the number of likes is not the deciding factor of your life. You can explore and express yourself, but it’s not something you need to judge your entire life on.”