Shaan Shahid questions whether social media fame can sustain an acting career

Veteran actor says viral popularity may fade unless digital creators invest in learning the craft of acting

Actor and filmmaker Shaan Shahid has sparked a debate over the growing presence of TikTokers and social media personalities in television and film after questioning whether online fame can translate into a lasting acting career.

The veteran actor made the remarks during a recent interview, where he was asked about the rise of content creators such as Rajab Butt and other influencers making their way into mainstream entertainment.

A clip from the conversation has since circulated widely on social media, prompting viewers to debate whether internet popularity can sustain a career beyond the digital sphere.

Shaan appeared to distinguish between having a platform and mastering the craft of acting. While he said he could not dictate what content creators should do with their own platforms, he questioned whether social media fame alone was enough to build a lasting career in the entertainment industry.

However, when speaking specifically about the acting industry, Shaan was more sceptical about the longevity of creators who enter television or film without formally developing their skills. “It’s not going to last. The temporary phase will fade away. First you will get a lot of hype,” he said.

He further questioned how quickly audiences move on from television personalities, asking, “Tell me how many names you remember from dramas.”

 

 

 

 

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For Shaan, the issue is not necessarily that TikTokers or other digital creators are entering the industry, but whether they invest in understanding the profession once they get there. “If you don’t learn the art and craft of the job and just get a hit, you will be successful but they’ll understand why it isn’t relevant after one or three years from now,” he said.

His comments have divided social media users. While some agreed that viral popularity does not automatically translate into acting ability or a sustainable career, others took issue with what they viewed as an overly dismissive assessment of digital creators.

Some fans poked fun at Shaan’s remarks, suggesting that no single actor owns the entertainment industry or gets to decide who belongs in it. Others pointed out that the traditional boundaries between television, cinema and digital media have already become increasingly blurred.

“Actors are singing, singers are acting but everyone has problems with TikTokers and YouTubers. All the actors have their YouTube channels and are even going on TikTok as well,” one user wrote.

 

The debate has also prompted comparisons with creators who have successfully moved beyond social media. Some users argued that there are already examples of YouTubers and TikTokers who have managed to build substantial careers by using their online platforms as a starting point rather than treating them as an endpoint.

At the heart of the discussion is a question that predates TikTok: whether fame and talent are the same thing. Social media can give an emerging performer an audience almost overnight, while traditional acting careers have historically required years of work, training and exposure.

Shaan himself has spent decades in Pakistan’s film industry. His career has included hundreds of films, directing projects and some of the country’s most recognisable action and dramatic roles.

In a 2026 interview about his upcoming film Bullah, he also spoke about how he studied the work of earlier Punjabi cinema stars and watched thousands of films while developing his own screen persona.

The actor has also previously been outspoken about the state of Pakistani cinema. In May 2026, he spoke about the industry’s reliance on Eid releases and his concerns that local cinema had become disconnected from its wider audience.

His history of speaking bluntly about the entertainment industry has made Shaan a familiar figure in debates over Pakistani cinema. In 2022, he also drew attention for his comments about language and acting in The Legend of Maula Jatt, another instance in which his views generated discussion among audiences and fellow industry watchers.