Actor Kalaiyarasan has shared an interesting take on nepotism. In a recent interview, the actor supported the practice of giving employment to one's own family in their field with their power and influence. Speaking to Cine X, the actor said that he would not say nepotism should not exist. "If my daughter tells me that she wants to act in cinema, I cannot tell her, 'No, you go and become a doctor instead.' She should pursue her interest," the actor explained. He also added that nepotism is okay "until and unless you do not disturb others and spoil their opportunities."
Kalaiyarasan said that people do not call it out when a doctor's son or daughter also follows in their parent's footsteps. "An actor's son can become an actor. Likewise for a doctor's child, a director's son or a politician's son. It is not wrong," the actor shared before adding that the practice should not get in the way of someone else's growth.
Kalaiyarasan's views about nepotism mirror the perspectives of other actors as well. Even those who admit that it is not the right practice, such as Aamir Khan, point out the prevalence of it across fields. Aamir has said multiple times that nepotism is not good regardless of the field. The superstar once said in an interview that if a person does not have the ability, they should not get an opportunity.
Many other actors have also countered nepotism allegations by pointing out the number of quality talents that it has produced, such as Suriya, Vijay, Dulquer Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil, and Ranbir Kapoor, to name some.
Coming back to Kalaiyarasan, it is worth noting that the actor does not hail from a film family but rather from a middle-class background. That said, his brother, Rajeshkumar Harikrishnan, also works as an actor in Tamil cinema.