How authenticity is helping rooted stories break into the mainstream: Rasika Dugal, Amol Parashar, Mukesh Chhabra along with other industry voices share their perspective

Rooted stories are finding a wider audience as viewers increasingly embrace narratives grounded in specific cultures, communities and lived experiences. The shift was discussed at a FICCI Frames panel featuring Mrinalini Jain, Tanya Bami, Amogh Dusad, Mukesh Chhabra, Anant Singh, Rasika Dugal and Amol Parashar, moderated by Naman Ramachandran. Producer Anant Singh said the focus should be on stories that mirror real life. “The point is to tell stories that aren’t being told, something that imitates life and is not filmy,” he said.Amol Parashar stressed that authenticity also requires commitment from actors. “As an actor, it is important to portray the right emotions and make the audience connect. It is easy to have six packs and look like Hrithik Roshan, but if you want to portray meaningful characters, those emotions and that commitment are required,” he said. Rasika Dugal spoke about choosing unconventional roles, citing Manto, Delhi Crime and Mirzapur. “The rewards are there to see,” she said, acknowledging that making such choices can be difficult.Casting director Mukesh Chhabra said the growing appetite for authentic stories has created space for new talent. “I am keen on finding real talent, good actors who can really act,” he said. The panel also discussed how rooted storytelling goes beyond small-town settings or regional dialects. What matters is whether the world feels authentic and the emotions connect. Mrinalini Jain noted that subtitles and dubbing have further expanded access to international content. “They are all rooted in their culture, but the emotion is universal,” she said. Parashar added that his mother’s interest in Korean shows illustrates the point: “They connect with the emotion and transport you to another world.”The discussion also highlighted several underexplored worlds, including family businesses, corporate boardrooms, children’s stories, women in comedy and the lives of entrepreneurs. The takeaway was clear: mainstream storytelling is no longer dependent on familiar settings. Stories that are specific to their worlds can travel when their emotions are universal.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!