Kriti Sanon on Nepotism: Talent vs. Opportunity in Bollywood
Kriti Sanon, who has successfully established herself in Bollywood despite being an outsider, recently addressed the issue of nepotism at the 55th International Film Festival in Goa. The actress, known for her roles in films like Heropanti and Do Patti, shared her perspective, suggesting that Bollywood alone shouldn’t be blamed for nepotism. According to Sanon, the media and audience also play a significant role by consistently focusing on star kids.
Sanon explained that the media’s intense spotlight on celebrity children creates audience interest, which, in turn, encourages the industry to cast them. She stated, “It’s a cycle. The audience watches what the media highlights about star kids, so the industry believes making movies with them will be successful.” She stressed the importance of genuine talent, noting that success depends on it. Without talent or a strong connection with the audience, she explained, achieving success would be unlikely.
Following her comments, social media users, particularly on Reddit, unearthed an older interview where Sanon expressed frustration over the challenges she faced as an outsider. In that interview, the Mimi actress admitted feeling disheartened when seeing star kids receive opportunities easily. “When you don’t come from a film background, it takes longer to be recognized and to get the roles you desire,” she remarked. Sanon recalled moments of seeing others, with influential backing, advance quickly, despite feeling more talented herself.
Her candid reflections have reignited discussions on Bollywood’s nepotism debate, with some praising her honesty and others pointing out inconsistencies between her recent and past statements. The ongoing conversation underscores the complex interplay of talent, opportunity, and influence in the competitive world of Indian cinema.
