In an industry where popularity is often measured in numbers, casting decisions don’t always follow the obvious path. Sometimes, it’s not about followers or fame but about what an actor brings to the screen when it truly matters.
That seems to be the case with Glory, the upcoming Netflix sports drama that features Jannat Zubair Rahmani in a key role. The actor, who began her career as a child star, is returning to long-format storytelling after a gap of seven years. While her massive fanbase has been buzzing ever since the teaser dropped, the show’s creator had a very different starting point when it came to casting her.
Speaking to Hindustan Times ahead of the trailer launch, showrunner Karan Anshuman shared that social media numbers played no
role in the decision. “We don’t cast because of social media numbers. That’s not a thing. For us, it’s always an audition. Can you do it? And the most deserving person who has the best audition wins the part. That’s something we should be clear about.”
Interestingly, Anshuman revealed that he had no idea about Jannat’s massive online following—over 50 million on Instagram—when he first saw her audition. Known for her earlier work in projects like Hichki and TV shows such as Phulwa and Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, Jannat impressed him purely on performance. Recalling that moment, he said, “So, I saw (her audition), and I was like, “Wow, this is great.” And then I was informed that she has an army of followers, and I thought, “Okay, that’s great. It’s going to help the show”. But again, for me, that was not the important part. For me, it was about how she’s going to be on set. It was a great audition to begin with,” he says.
Despite being the youngest among the principal cast, Jannat seems to have held her own on set. Anshuman described their collaboration as mutually enriching, highlighting her confidence and clarity in approaching scenes. “What I found really fascinating working with her is the just the level of confidence this generation brings. Everyone from Suvinder Vicky to the other actors, if I had something to say to them, they would hear me out. But she always had her reasons, and it was always a discussion of how to approach a certain scene. Let me tell you, a lot of times she won out because I saw what she did and thought it worked for me. So, it was very much a learning experience for me as well, working with her. She’s supremely talented and professional.”
Glory blends sports drama with a mystery element, set against the backdrop of boxing in Haryana. The story follows two brothers, played by Pulkit Samrat and Divyenndu, who return to their hometown after their sister—Jannat’s character—meets with an accident. The ensemble also includes Suvinder Vicky, Sikandar Kher, Ashutosh Rana, and Sayani Gupta.
The series is set to premiere on Netflix on May 1.
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