Archana Puran Singh backs nepotism. 'People in Bollywood want to work with actors from film families ...'

The debate around nepotism in Bollywood continues to be a hot-button topic. Veteran actress Archana Puran Singh recently added her own insights to this controversial subject in a chat with superstar Ajay Devgn. Singh, whose sons Aryamann and Ayushmaan are aspiring actors, maintained that in certain cases, nepotism has its advantages. She argued that kids of industry insiders have an edge over outsiders, as they are trained in professional ethics and know-how by their families.

“One of the reasons people in the film industry prefer to work with actors from film families is because when your parents are already part of the industry, they instill a sense of professional ethics in you from the beginning,” she stated.

Devgn, whose father, Veeru Devgn, was an esteemed action director, seconded her thoughts but acknowledged that some outsiders do possess immense talent. However, he argued that many people have a wrong perception of the industry and how it operates. He said that even though star kids and children of producers may have an advantage of knowing the right people and getting a head start in the business, stardom is not guaranteed for them, and they don’t have control over how the audience perceives them.

“You can’t become a star on Day One. You have to first learn how to act. That’s where some confusion begins. People outside the industry often think this business operates in a certain way, but it’s not like that. In the end, it all comes down to your hard work,” he said.

Nepotism remains a relevant subject as several star kids, such as Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim, Sridevi’s younger daughter Khushi, Aamir Khan’s son Junaid, and Chunky Pandey’s nephew Ahaan, made their theatrical debut this year. Among them, only Ahaan has emerged successful, as his debut venture—the romantic drama ‘ Saiyaara’—has ’emerged as a gargantuan hit. As per a report by box-office tracking portal Sacnilk, the Mohit Suri directorial has earned a stellar Rs 153 crore in just six days.