Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh opposed the perception that being a star child would guarantee success and would call Nepotism a “exaggerated” debate in the industry. Despite his musical pedigree, grandson of legendary singer Mukesh, Neil insists that his journey is not easy.
“Nepotism has become a slang word these days.”
“If being a Nepo child really had an advantage, I wouldn’t have had much trouble. I would have been somewhere else entirely today,” he told Annie. He says Nepotism is being sensationalized in Bollywood. Because actors are always in the public eye. “It’s now become a slang term, but people don’t realize it’s not working the way they think it is.”
The actor emphasized that industry outsiders like Kartik Aaryan, Rajkummar Rao and Vikrant Massey made their mark purely through talent. “These actors don’t come from the film family, but they do very well because their work speaks bigger than their background,” he said.
“You can inherit the business, but you’re not talented.”
Neil also drew comparisons with other professions, questioning why the discussion of Nepotism is exclusive to Bollywood. “It’s not considered nepotism for a doctor’s child to become a doctor or a businessman’s child to take over a family business. Why is it different for an actor?”
He acknowledged that parents can guide their children, but he firmly believes that artistic success cannot be inherited. “You can pass on business, but you can’t pass on talent. Artists have to prove themselves,” he concluded.
