Special Feature

NEPOTISM IS EVERYWHERE, IT’S WRONG TO TARGET THE FILM INDUSTRY

Jyothi Venkatesh

The country is still getting over Sushant Singh Rajput’s sudden demise. The actor was found hanging at his Bandra home. Post his death talks on depression and mental health started doing rounds. Even the nepotism debate sparked again. But is it just limited to the film industry or Bollywood? Here some celebs share their opinion on the same with JYOTHI VENKATESH

Shashank Vyas

 Nepotism exists, and it’s a very normal human behaviour. But if you are taking away someone else’s work, that’s not right. There are many star kids who couldn’t get work after their first two-three films, because it’s the audience who decides an actor’s future. But at the same time there are stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao and Kangana Ranaut, who were outsiders, but they made their way up. It’s a business, if I am not able to perform and am not giving any business to my producers, they will not work with me. People need to understand it’s a hardcore business, there are no relationships here.

Vijayendra Kumeria

 Nepotism exists everywhere. Getting good work in films might be difficult for a person who does not have a film background. But if we talk about television, I have never experienced nepotism here. I think TV industry is open to anyone who is talented. But, I have come across a few film casting directors who look down upon TV actors.

Arun Mandola

 Nepotism is everywhere. I think after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death people have started to talk more about it. It’s ok to ignore someone, but it’s not ok if you try to destroy someone. Sometimes people try to put you under tremendous pressure so that you leave a project.

All those who are talking about nepotism, they are also equally responsible. It needs to leave the industry for good. And it will only happen if the audience supports new talent.

Khusbhoo Kamal

 Nepotism exists, and that’s how it has always been. One will definitely want their family to carry forward their legacy. People who belong to the industry, they will obviously be the first choice. We outsiders also get the opportunity based on talent, but yes, our struggles are more if compared to those who belong to the industry.

But look at actors like Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi and Manoj Bajpayee, they were talented and even though they were outsiders, they made a name for themselves.

Bhoomika Mirchandani

Nepotism is everywhere and the industry is getting highlighted because people see us more. Instead of talking about other’s work and their success, I think people need to focus on their work and success. We should take nepotism very lightly.

Pranitaa Pandit

 Nepotism exists everywhere and it is deep routed in our society. People are blaming Bollywood, but it has existed in business families for generation. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it because everyone has worked really hard to be where they are and it’s absolutely fair to pass it on to their next generation.

Bollywood is such a skill-based industry that if your skilled and hardworking you will make it shine and no one can stop you from doing so. It’s not fair to target someone. I have not lost any role because of nepotism and it is something which I have never experienced. I came from Delhi, Balaji Telefilms and Ekta ma’am gave me a break and today I have settled in Mumbai, all thanks to her.

Aniruddh Dave

 Nepotism existed since the beginning of time. Everyone wants their next generation to excel in the same field as them. It exists in the corporate world too, even in politics and sports. I think this word is being overly used for Bollywood. People who don’t have a filmy background should make their passion and their dreams their background.

In this industry, only talent sells. If you are talented, you will make it big here, but you need to have patience. If you have a godfather, you may be launched easily, but what after that. People need to talk less about nepotism and more about talent.