Nepotism in Bollywood has sunk its roots so deep that despite repeated box office failures and below-average filmography, star kids get rewarded with endless opportunities, making it almost impossible for audiences to escape them.
Siddhant Chaturvedi’s infamous line “Jaha Tumahra struggle start hota hai waha hamare sapne pure hote hai” continues to be the reality for many outsider talents who just want to make it big like their idols once did.
The disparity between privileged insiders and struggling outsiders, however, is so stark that it has become the “new normal,” something everyone knows deep down but has gotten used to by now.
In the last few years alone, films were used as launch pads for multiple prominent celebrity kids, such as Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Rasha Thadani, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Junaid Khan, Aryan Khan, Ahaan Kapoor, and so on.
Despite a few names from the bunch mentioned above, only a few managed to make a mark, and least of all, a movie that actually entertains people.
The majority of those names were heavily criticized for making slop in the name of films. Somehow, even after repeatedly delivering poor acting performances, these “actors” consistently landed high-budget projects.
The industry’s PR machinery also plays a critical role in sustaining the careers of these star kids. They’re often positioned through image management as relatable or down-to-earth people who just happen to be linked with high-profile brand endorsements.
While it’s true that their “star” background helps to establish their credibility with the audiences, it’s also important to question whether these people are getting extreme benefits just because their parents were admirable.
One example that’s shared a lot during online conversations is how Suhana Khan landed major global brand associations even though she hasn’t delivered a single notable hit.
This privileged way of making your mark in the industry is in stark contrast to the outsiders’ reality, for whom a single unsuccessful project can halt their career entirely.
What makes this incident noteworthy is the fact that people are missing out on truly celebrating an actor for his/her talent.
Parents or associates of these kids were all once nepo-kids as well; however, what made them noteworthy was their talents. The audiences eventually accepted them as well when merit won over the image.
Audiences today have gotten smarter; they realize the quality of the content they’re consuming and always stay in touch with the trend.
It’s important that production houses realize this and understand that acquiring various talents despite their backgrounds will in turn benefit them more than the losses they have to bear today.
