How to Pursue a Career in Acting in India?

How to become an actor in India? There is no specific mandatory degree required to become an actor. Actors can work in films, television, theatres, and other public performances such as travelling and theatre groups.

How to become an actor in India? To become an actor, people need to polish a few talents and understand their strengths. There are numerous acting courses to become an actor. People should have a set of qualities to become an actor. In India, acting as a profession has gained popularity over the years. A lot of young aspirants want to embark on the journey to becoming an actor in India. The article provided details on becoming an actor in India and the courses and skills required.

Table of Contents

How to Become an Actor in India?
Eligibility to Become an Actor
Career Options for an Actor in India
Salary of an Actor in India
Acting Courses in India
Top Colleges for Acting in India
Additional Skills Required to be an Actor in India
Scope and Job Prospects for an Actor

How to Become an Actor in India?

The word "acting" is derived from the Latin word "agere," which translates as 'to do.' The official modern-day meaning of the word actor stands for 'a participant in an action or process or a person whose profession is acting on the stage, in films, or on television. A successful career in acting can be broadly attributed to equal parts talent, inherent skill, and tonnes of practice, and of course, a bit of luck thrown in.

How to Become an Actor in India? The first and foremost step of becoming an actor in India would be self-evaluation and introspection. One needs to understand oneself, from wants and needs to desires and aspirations. Since acting is primarily a passion-driven profession, one needs to find it in themselves if they got what it takes to make it to the finish line.

Here are the few steps an individual can follow to become an actor in India are,

Acting Classes - If one is serious about becoming an actor, they need to enrol themselves in acting class. To become an actor in India, it is crucial to be a part of an acting class as it helps meet like-minded people, which in turn helps in networking.
Modelling - Grab any chance one might get to model in a show or even a local contest. By doing this, one gains the required level of exposure in the industry. Modelling assignments also make an aspirant's portfolio look good and build credibility.
Work on Yourself - In the world of acting, it is important how one presents themselves. To become a successful actor in India, one needs to take care of their looks and body. Self-evaluation is an important step towards building a career in acting.
Be a Role Model - Since an actor in India becomes a role model for the viewers and their fans, they must promote positivity. To earn work in this industry, a person must be someone to look up to.
Identify Your USP - Thousands in the world aspire to become an actor. While presenting self, one needs to know what their Unique Selling Proposition (USP). To establish oneself as a successful actor, it is important to know what uniqueness one brings to the table.
Be Consistent - This is the most important quality not only in the acting career but in life. As an actor, one must not lose heart when brought face-to-face with rejection. To become an actor in India, one must accept rejections and move on. Consistency will help in achieving the end goal and will keep one motivated.

Eligibility to Become an Actor

Most acting aspirants, if not all, possess a certain amount of inherent natural talent. But what they would be gaining through formal education is the technical and practical aspects and skills needed in acting.

The most basic qualification required for starting a career in acting is as follows.

A bachelor's, master's, or postgraduate diploma course in acting or arts.
In the case of a diploma and certificate program, one needs to have completed class 10 education.
However, candidates having a background in performing arts are preferred when admission into acting classes.
Most colleges and institutes offering acting courses and degrees have their own respective autonomous entrance tests and exams. These happen to be extremely generic, basically trying to gauge the knowledge and readiness in entertainment.
The selected or shortlisted students proceed for a personal interview round, a step ahead to become an actor.

Career Options for an Actor in India

The career options are nothing but the various communication mediums in which actors perform various tasks and roles for a specific outcome or result. It happens to be the second step in becoming an actor as it helps give people's passion a direction.

Based on the detailed information of each medium provided below, one can hopefully find their best fit while revealing their call in life concerning acting.

Theatre

Theatre is one of the oldest mediums of acting. It has been defined as "a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers, typically actors and actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event to the live audience in a specific place, often referred to as an auditorium or a stage." It is still considered the best boot camp for people aspiring to become an actor.

Theatre is also the best medium for those who primarily seek to perform in front of a live audience. Meanwhile, it doubles up or rather lays the groundwork/ foundation for other off streams of theatre such as live performances (concerts, events), Broadway musicals, and even stand-up comedy. The highest salary for a theatre artist may go above INR 30 Lakhs per annum.

Radio

The next in line would be the good old radio. One might think about how an actor performs on an audio medium. One of the main differences between a stage actor and a radio actor is that a radio actor relies on voice to convey character. In contrast, a stage actor also uses body, space, and movement.

One would be doing almost everything needed through a single outlet of sound and voice. Most radio actors find employment in scripted radio programs, public service announcements (PSU's), and radio commercials. The average salary offered in All India Radio is INR 4.4 Lakhs per annum.

Advertisements can be divided into print, broadcast, and online advertising. Most upcoming actors use this medium to seek initial work, exposure, experience while making relevant industry contacts and taking home a handsome salary.

The key to landing at least the first set of commercials for a newbie is to give as many auditions as possible. Everyone watches advertisements, giving a big exposure to the actors to be easily recognized and remembered. With an advertising skill in India, an individual can earn an average salary of INR 6.29 Lakh per annum.

Television

Television lately has proved to be a stepping stone for many actors who aspire to star in leading roles in films in India. It is a well-oiled machine with the largest and the widest reach in terms of audience. Hence working in the broadcast or television industry can help serve many objectives to people looking forward to becoming an actor. Visibility, recognition, and a steady stream of income are a few important ones. The television artist with fame can get INR 1 Lakh to INR 1.25 Lakh per episode.

Over the Top Media Services (OTT)

OTT is a new medium that refers to content providers that distribute streaming media as a standalone product directly to viewers over the internet, bypassing traditional broadcast platforms and structures that act as gatekeepers.

Platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have truly democratized content dissemination while generating and providing lots of jobs and opportunities for actors around the globe. OTT is coupled with path-breaking stories and sparkling characters to portray, making every actor's dream come true in more than one way.

The most amount of content generated today is on social media. There is original content in the form of scripted and non-scripted content being produced on platforms such as Facebook and Youtube, thus making more room and space for actors and entertainers to enter. It also serves as another new, additional medium to choose from for actors and audiences alike. Its power is truly limitless, and one can leverage it to even self-start one's career or get noticed by the right people almost overnight.

Social media is the best modern-day tool meant to build one's professional brand. The other best use of social media is making connections with peers and industry professionals like casting directors, headshot photographers, filmmakers, publicists, and agents, and the list goes on.

Film

For most actors, the ultimate goal is to be a part of a feature film that's screened on a 70mm screen. It could be a big role or a lead; all one wants is to be a film actor. Acting in movies as a profession has stood the test of time. But it's not so easy to make it in the movie business.

There are several hoop jumps that one needs to make. It won't guarantee anything, as acting is one of those few occupations where merit alone won't suffice for being selected. But having mastered the art of acting would go a long way in making the journey easy while helping in the opening of doors and opportunities. An actor in India can earn an average salary of INR 11 Lakh per annum.

Salary of an Actor in India

The income of actors is not fixed. The source of their income is varied owing to endorsements and other entertainment activities. Lead actors and actresses demand a fixed amount of money per movie, which varies from individual to individual. The more popular the actor, the more money he commands. Character actors command lesser capital when compared to lead stars. Usually the television actors are paid in the range of lakhs while film stars are paid in crores.

Below is the approximate average earnings of an Actor in India taken from PayScale India.

Actor Payscale in India
Actor Salary	Earning Per Project
Basic/ Starting Salary	INR 82,000
Average Base Salary	INR 11 Lakh
Highest Base Salary	INR 1 Crore

Acting Courses in India

Formal education and procuring a degree is the way to go when it comes to approaching acting as a 'professional career choice. There is an array of interesting courses being offered by institutes and colleges from across the country.

The top courses for acting in India are as follows:

BA in Acting

Admission to the BA in acting is an undergraduate program in acting, dance, and drama. The acting course is mostly based upon the applicant's performance in the relevant entrance examination conducted by individual colleges and the counselling around the following.

The National Council also accredits this degree for Drama Training, which allows graduates automatic entry into equity, the actors union in India. It is most definitely an intensive process, which requires curiosity, courage, and commitment on the part of the student to become an actor.

Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)

BPA is an undergraduate degree program that introduces a student to entertainment and its related techniques. This course is three or four years in duration and is offered across different universities, institutes, and colleges in India.

A performing arts degree usually focuses on three major aspects of the performance and entertainment industry, namely music, dance, and drama, and it provides specialization to students in any one of these. The course helps students refine their skills and successfully become artists in any of the three varied forms of performing arts.

BA Hons in Drama

BA Hons Drama includes acting, voice, and movement techniques through the synthesis of theory and practice. One will graduate as a thinking, expressive, informed, and creative actor with the ability to work across genres, media, and performance cultures.

Through classes, projects, workshops, and productions, the program develops one's abilities to work in an ensemble environment (teamwork), with an awareness of one's imaginative resources. It prepares you for a career on stage and screen.

Diploma in Acting

A diploma in acting is a 3-year diploma course for students who are interested in becoming an actor. Candidates can take up this course after completing high school education that is 10+2, which is the basic eligibility criteria for candidates entering the course. This course is suitable for self-determined, creative, and intellectual, along with professional careers. There are also diplomas that one could search for to pursue right after school.

Postgraduate Diploma in Acting

PG diploma is a one-year program that offers comprehensive acting training focused on delivering performance for the screen. The student will be involved in learning about current industry practices coupled with practical and theoretical training. One will also learn about the history, craft, and techniques of acting while building a solid foundation for a career in film and theatre arts. The duration of this course is one year. Students will be involved in various filmmaking projects, including a short film professionally shot and produced.

Master of Arts in Acting

It is a program of study that involves learning and mastering techniques that transfer to acting on stage, in film, or on television. In addition to acting techniques, students tend to study the business of film and theatre, script analysis, stage movement, and speech. This two-year program often culminates in a presentation of student films or live acting presentations.

Some students may even pursue a PhD or an M.Phil and teach acting at universities and other educational institutions.

Certificate Course in Acting

The certificate course is usually ranging anywhere from one month to a six-month introduction program. It can act as a foundation for building their career by gaining industry experience and acquiring further education.

Top Colleges for Acting in India

Almost every actor in India has aspirations of joining the acting industries. Primarily due to increasing job opportunities, glamour factor, and high pay scale offered in this field. It has led to several prominent colleges specializing in film and acting studies across the country. They happen to co-exist with the heritage institutes for acting that have produced an illustrious list of alumni.

The most comprehensive list of top colleges for acting programs in India has been provided below.

National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune
Whistling Woods International (WWI)
Barry John Acting Studio, Mumbai
Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares, Mumbai
Institute of Creative Excellence (ICE)
Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)
Zee Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA)
Center For Research In Art Of Film And Television (CRAFT), Delhi
Roshan Taneja School of Acting, Mumbai

Additional Skills Required to be an Actor

Below are the compiled skills based on the industry needs and working for most actors, expecially since 2019. Putting a few permutations and combinations of these tools and assets will go a long way.

Language Classes

One needs to be perfect in the speech and pronunciation of the local language or the vernacular language. Since most of the acting in India comprises Hindi, one masters the language and should be extremely well versed at memorizing lines. There are special classes and tutors for actors to learn how to speak languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, and other important dialects.

Dancing Skills

Some acting courses do include dance prep. Also, if one specializes in dance in a performing arts degree, that would be considered beneficial. But for the majority of acting aspirants, learning and mastering dance is extremely important.

Unlike the west, dance is not separate from acting in India. It is an integral part of being an actor while possessing an edge over the competition. Actresses would vastly benefit by having formal training in dance forms such as Kathak, Odissi, or Bharatanatyam. Other contemporary dance forms, too, for all actors in the making are compulsorily recommended. One can always practice by joining a dance class or an academy or hiring a tutor.

Physical Fitness

Looks do matter, at least to a certain degree, in this profession. One needs to look their best and be in the best shape possible. Physical fitness can be pursued through gyming, martial arts, aerobics, pilates, and other forms of fitness honing options out there.

Actors who aspire to land leading roles need to fit into the conventional 'Indian' look. It's advisable to have all boxes ticked, especially while starting. To be noticed initially and to land work, one needs to look like every other model and actor out there that exists.

Acting Resume

An Acting portfolio helps quickly put the actor's face and skills in front of casting directors while helping the actor land the role they want. Since it is the first impression one makes, one needs to spend ample time and thought into putting together a professional-looking portfolio.

A Portfolio usually consists of headshots and other pictures, an acting reel (video), and a resume. The resume must include and highlight all the relevant acting experience and skills. The acting resume needs to make the actor stand out as most decision-makers do not have enough time on hand or have too many options to sift through.

Networking

In the entertainment business, people often say that one must network or not work. To a large extent, they are right. Being talented and ambitious are good starting points for anyone in any career. However, by underestimating the importance of networking, people may be shortchanging themselves. Realizing true goals means they will need to build relationships with others.

Building those relationships requires networking, either offline or online or preferably through a combination of both. It can be most certainly achieved by attending events that filmmakers, writers, and casting directors attend. By engaging with industry professionals online, one must also try making friends in non-industry setups. It gives a better shot at making it.

Hiring an Agent

An actor's manager is an extremely important figure. They serve as the bridge connecting actors with suitable roles, makers, opportunities, and even auditions. One can also get signed up by a talent management agency and get appropriate representation and desired visibility.

Most managers help an actor in being objective and not losing focus while looking at the bigger picture and the long-term interests of the actor. They help manage all deals and finances while constantly giving relevant perspectives.

Acting Auditions

Auditioning is the lifeline of up-and-coming actors. It helps in getting recognized by the casting personnel. It also serves as prep, experience, and homework while flexing one's acting muscle through the very process of auditioning.

One might end up on their wish list by doing the auditions with sincerity while showcasing one's talent. Auditions will guarantee callbacks if not for the role in question but other best-suited roles for the actor. The key skills to be displayed during an audition are confidence, subject knowledge (role, project), self-awareness, individuality, and flexibility.

Scope and Job Prospects of an Actor

Based on facts and figures, the Indian film industry is the largest film producing unit globally, making over 1100 films every year. The business is estimated to be approximately speaking about 20,000 Crores (around USD 4 Billion). Going by these figures alone, acting in India can be an extremely lucrative profession. An actor can wear several different hats. Some of these are as follows.