Instead of being jealous, it’s better to work your way up: Disha Patani on nepotism

Actor Disha Patani, who will be seen in Mohit Suri’s upcoming film, Malang, recently weighed in on the nepotism debate in Bollywood. 

Taking the example of her sister, who is in the army, Disha in an interview said that ‘nepotism exists in every industry’. “My sister is in the army. If she has a child, they will have an edge over others if they decide to join the forces. Instead of being jealous, it’s better to work your way up, on the strength of your talent,” the actor was quoted as saying. 

Speaking about the film industry, Disha added, “We are all special and doing different kinds of movies. There aren’t too many Fridays with solo releases so there’s enough work for everyone. I believe in feminism and equality. At the end of the day, it’s the work that speaks. You’re lucky if people like you, that cannot come with birth or be bought.” 

Last month, a video of newcomer Ananya Panday holding forth on nepotism went viral. Speaking in a roundtable interview, Ananya said that her father, actor Chunky Panday, did not have a smooth-sailing career (never did a Dharma film or appeared on Koffee With Karan). She added that she is the most star-struck person in a room and that she tries to ‘overcompensate’ by coming ‘extra early to places’. 

While everyone seemed to cheer her views, Gully Boy-fame Siddhant Chaturvedi chipped in with, “Everyone has their own struggle. The difference is that where our dreams are fulfilled, their struggle begins.”

Alaya F, who made her debut in last week’s Jawaani Jaaneman, also spoke to us about her views on nepotism. The newcomer, who is the daughter of Pooja Bedi and the granddaughter of Kabir Bedi, told Cinema Express, “It’s justified to be asked this question and I feel it should be acknowledged more. No matter how great my struggle is, there will always be someone who has struggled a billion times more because they don’t come from film families. So just acknowledging your privilege is important.”