At a time when the lines between mainstream and independent cinema continue to blur, casting choices have become a key point of debate within the industry. Actress-producer Richa Chadha has weighed in on the conversation, questioning the growing tendency of independent films casting commercial faces even when they can’t guarantee box office or add meaningful value on the festival circuit.

Highlighting what she sees as a contradiction in the way indie projects are being mounted today, the actress says, “If an actor isn’t opening a film theatrically on a Friday and doesn’t add any real weight at festivals, then what exactly is the advantage of casting them in an independent film?”

Richa, who backed the Indian- French co-production Girls Will Be Girls which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, also points to the economic reality behind such decisions.

She says, “I am not suggesting anything, but with trained actors, you are at least assured that performance quality will be maintained. There is a commerce behind indie films too. Some stories don’t need big faces to pull crowds. It is more economical to sign on an actor who brings credibility without creating a huge hole in the budget. Without taking away from any actor’s ability or worth, if indie films are to truly survive in 2026, we have to understand that audiences want quality stories with credible actors, and filmmakers do not want to put a strain on the budget.”

Drawing from the past, she adds, “In the 1980s, we had a thriving indie cinema movement, and actors like Farooque Sheikh, Amol Palekar and Shabana Azmi were stars in their own right. That space has disappeared today. If the industry continues to wait for a nod from a handful of top male actors, on whose already tired and busy shoulders films are mounted, all the best to you. There won’t be enough output.”