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Home > Articles > How to Become an Actor: In India, After 12th, Steps, Acting Courses, Colleges, Salary 2024
Updated on 17th April, 2024 , 6 min read
Becoming an actor in India requires multiple steps, such as finding auditions, building a portfolio, making the right connections, and working on one's acting skills. Formal education is not required for one to pursue a career in acting, but it helps build a foundation. After completing the 12th grade, aspiring actors can join various undergraduate degree and diploma programs such as the Bachelor of Arts in Acting (BA Acting), the Diploma in Acting, etc. Some of the top colleges offering these courses are the National School of Drama (Delhi), Film and Television Institute of India (Pune), Whistling Woods International (Mumbai), and Zee Institute of Media Arts (Mumbai).
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a film, television show, theater production, or any other form of entertainment. To bring their characters to life, actors use their physical and emotional abilities to highlight a story. Acting requires creativity, talent, skill, training, and hard work, and only those actors who are consistent in their work achieve success.
The following table gives details of how to become an actor in India-
Details | Particulars |
Industry | Entertainment Industry |
Eligibility | 10+2 (in any stream) / Age no bar |
Salary Range (Freshers) | INR 2 - 20 LPA |
Salary Range (Experienced) | INR 2 Crores and above |
Courses | Bachelor of Arts in Acting, Diploma in Acting, Certificate in Acting, Master of Arts in Theatre, etc. |
Top Colleges | National School of Drama (Delhi), Film and Television Institute of India (Pune), Whistling Woods International (Mumbai), Zee Institute of Media Arts (Mumbai), etc. |
Skills required | Acting, Memorisation, Dancing, Singing, Team Spirit, Physical Fitness, and Willingness to learn. |
Job Opportunities | Theater actors, Film actors, Models, Television Show Hosts, Anchors, Voiceover Artists, Acting Coaches, etc. |
Name of the Person | Fun Fact |
Thespis | A Greek man was the first actor in the world, and his act was done on November 23, 534 B.C. |
Margaret Hughes | She made history by becoming the first-ever woman to act as for the longest time, roles for women were enacted by men or boys. |
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke | The father of the Indian film industry. |
Kanneganti Brahmanandam | An Indian actor who holds the Guinness World Record for appearing in over 1000 films. |
Acting is a unique and versatile field, and there is no distinct course of action that every actor must follow to achieve success. However, there are certain steps that could simplify the process of how to become an actor in India-
The more one works on their art, the better one will perform. Join a community theater and take part in independent productions, or student films. If required, join acting classes that will help to polish skills, improve speech clarity and movement, and help you gain overall confidence.
A portfolio will consist of professional headshots taken by a photographer and attached to a resume of the actor-to-be.This is a mandatory requirement in the industry.
Agents deal with all the tasks that an actor might not be able to do on their own, like seeking out opportunities, negotiating contracts, and scheduling auditions. Some agents have connections in the industry, which is another big advantage.
Casting calls are usually made over social media and on casting websites. Look out for opportunities in movies, radio, TV shows, and theater productions.
An individual can join acting groups, and attend workshops, conferences, and industry events to gain exposure and build good relationships with other actors, directors, etc. This will help in getting more auditions and roles in upcoming projects.
Becoming an actor in India does not specifically require a degree or diploma in acting, but many performers benefit from a formal mode of training. In India, there are various universities and institutions that offer various programs in acting. The following are some of the acting courses below in India which are described in detail below-
Bachelor of Arts in Acting (BA Acting): This is a three-year undergraduate program that focuses on the practical aspects of acting, such as voice modulation, body language, improvisation, and characterization.
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | Bachelor of Arts in Acting |
Duration | 3 Years |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 (any stream) or an equivalent exam with at least 50% marks Some colleges may conduct an Entrance Examination as well |
Top Colleges | Whistling Woods International (Mumbai), ITM University (Gwalior),SGT University (Gurgaon),Sharda University (Greater Noida) |
Average Course Fees | INR 50,000 - 8,00,000 |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2,00,000 - 20,00,000 |
Diploma in Acting: This is a one or two-year diploma course that provides students with intensive training in acting techniques, script analysis, and stagecraft.
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | Diploma in Acting |
Duration | 2-3 Years |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 (any stream) or an equivalent exam with at least 50% marks Some colleges may conduct an Entrance Examination as well |
Top Colleges | Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan (Delhi), Film and Television Institute of India (Pune), Asian Academy of Film and Television (Noida), National School of Drama (Delhi) |
Average Course Fees | INR 50,000 - 4,00,000 |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2,00,000 - 20,00,000 |
Certificate Course in Acting: This program could range from six months to a year and focuses on body language, character analysis, the basics of acting, improvisation, and facial expressions.
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | Certificate in Acting |
Duration | 6 months - 1 year |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 (any stream) or an equivalent exam with at least 50% marks |
Top Colleges | Barry John Acting Studio (Delhi and Mumbai), Alchemy (Tamil Nadu), Andhra University (Visakhapatnam), Bridge Academy for Media Studies (Chennai) |
Average Course Fees | INR 20,000 - 2,00,000 |
Average Starting Salary | INR 50,000 - 2,00,000 |
Master of Arts in Theatre (MA Theatre): This is a two-year-long postgraduate course that provides an in-depth understanding of theater, its history, acting, directing, production, and design.
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | Master of Arts in Theatre |
Duration | 2 Years |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor's Degree in Theatre or a related field with at least 50% marks Some colleges may conduct an Entrance Examination and an Interview as well |
Top Colleges | Bangalore University (Bengaluru), Sri Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (Kerala), Osmania University (Hyderabad), Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya (Chattisgarh) |
Average Course Fees | INR 60,000 - 5,00,000 |
Average Starting Salary | INR 5,00,000 - 20,00,000 |
There is no fixed salary for an actor, and it depends on several factors such as experience, the role, the budget of the project, and or popularity. Given below is an approximate amount that one earns-
Specialization | Average Salary (INR) |
Theatre Actors | INR 20,000 - 50,000 per play |
Film Actors | INR 50,000 - 2,00,00,000 or more per film |
Background Actors | INR 500 - 2,000 per day |
Web Series/Show Actors | INR 30,000 - 2,00,000 per episode |
Advertisement Actors | INR 5,000 - 1,00,000 per advertisement |
Voiceover Artists | INR 5,000 - 50,000 per project |
Acting Trainers/Coaches | INR 50,000 - 4,00,000 per annum |
A list of some of the top recruiters of actors in India is given below-
Dharma Productions | Excel Entertainment | Yash Raj Films |
T-series | Casting Bay India | Balaji Telefilms |
Anmol Gurung Casting | Casting Chhabra | Reliance Media Works |
Universal Studios | SONY Entertainment | Ramoji Film City |
Prime Focus | Zee TV | MTV |
The following are some of the benefits of becoming an actor in India-
Pilot Salary in India 2024: Starting Salary, Requirements, Qualifications, Per Month Salary
By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readNo, acting requires a lot of dedication and hard work, as there is tough competition in the market. However, with the right skill set and attitude, nothing is difficult.
Yes, after completing the 12th grade, one can find many undergraduate diplomas and degrees along with certification courses to grow in the field.
Actors can start by submitting themselves for various and many auditions. The exposure and experience will help them start their career.
No, it is not mandatory to have a set of qualifications in the field of acting, but actors who have gained knowledge formally tend to do better.
There is no age bar in the acting field, and one can start whenever one feels the need to.