Rishi Kapoor is unabashed, unfiltered and doesn’t give two hoots about what anybody thinks. Which is possibly why he’s my favourite person to follow on Twitter. No, really, have you read his tweets? They may land him in trouble every now and then, but it’s refreshing to see someone from Bollywood just be themselves! Agree?
Anyway, if you’ve been following the news, you’ll know that there has been a lot of said about nepotism over the last nine months. It all started when Kangana Ranaut called Karan Johar the flag-bearer of nepotism, and since then, a whole load of Bollywood celebrities have come forth to talk about the matter. From Vidya Balan saying she’s bored of the nepotism discussion to Ranbir Kapoor coming forth and accepting that he’s a product of nepotism, it has been an interesting past couple of weeks.
Rishi Kapoor spoke about the issue in detail in an interview with Indian Express. Here’s what he said.
Nepotism is very valid in today’s time. Nepotism has happened in India politics, in factories and mills, in every industry possible. The chair just goes to the next generation, whether he/she is capable or not capable, the factory is on autopilot, so the signatory is the immediate next son or the heir. But in cinema, you cannot impose on the audience that this one is this one’s son or this one’s daughter. The original star son in this industry was Raj Kapoor. Prithvi Raj Kapoor was a star himself, but will you say that Raj Kapoor was there only because he was Prithvi Raj Kapoor’s son, won’t you agree that he had merit? Rishi Kapoor worked for forty-five years, and still working, is Rishi Kapoor getting work only because he is Raj Kapoor’s son? Ranbir Kapoor has been working in this industry for the last ten years, is he only getting work because he is Rishi Kapoor’s son? We all have merit!
He added,
I don’t want to name anybody, but there might be many who failed also, maybe we are luckier, and others weren’t! But we are running on our own effort, and merit. We are chosen by the common man! Just as politicians are chosen, we are chosen too! There is an advantage and disadvantage. There is a curiosity to see an actor, his/her son or daughter. At the same time there is a disadvantage, that person has to carry so much baggage as the audience is going to compare them with their father or mother. And you are only good till your first film.
What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below.