I Know of The Films I Was Replaced From: Abhishek Bachchan On Nepotism In Bollywood

When it comes to nepotism in Bollywood, there’s hardly any person who does not have a strong view about it. Celebrities like Sushmita Sen, Anushka Sharma, and Radhika Madan have opened up about their experiences in the past about how they made it big in the industry despite being ‘outsiders’. On the other hand, celebs like Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have given their opinion on the kind of pressure star kids have to face.

Now, Abhishek Bachchan has joined the bandwagon. The actor recently spoke about the ‘N’ word in a recent interview. Abhishek is the star-kid of arguably the biggest superstar of the industry, Amitabh Bachchan. And he became a target of social media hatred and bullying way before the terminology ‘nepotism’ even started trending. He gets constantly compared to his father’s legacy and the audience doubts his talent.

Abhishek has often proved his acting skills in movies like Guru and Yuva but still remains one of the most underrated actors of Bollywood. Come to think of it, Amitabh and Abhishek have worked together in movies like Sarkar but according to the Raavan actor, his father has never pulled any strings for him. Talking about the advances he received in the industry for being a ‘Bachchan’, Abhishek said in a recent interview, “The fact is he has never picked up the phone on anyone. He has never made a film for me. On the contrary, I have produced a film for him, called Paa.”

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In all honesty, nepotism is a two-way street and has always been. Social media’s toxic environment that blames the star kids for their privileges and established filmmakers like Karan Johar for promoting them, forgets the role of the audience entirely. Bollywood is deep down a business industry and ultimately, the filmmakers like to give chances to only those who are good for their business. In other words, stars who are in-demand by the viewers are generally preferred over everyone else. Emphasising on this reality, Abhishek added, “People have to understand that it’s a business. After the first film, if they don’t see anything in you, or that film doesn’t do the numbers, you aren’t going to get your next job. That’s the harsh reality of life.”

Over the years, there have been plenty of examples where Abhishek Bachchan has been trolled on social media but the Breathe actor has shut them down with grace and humility. On being called a ‘product of nepotism’, Abhishek replied that people are naive and should stop believing in the bogus narrative.

When a user asked him how did he get a movie after Drona (which failed terribly to perform on the box office), the actor replied so honestly that even his haters were surprised!

A user once trolled him and asked that even after signing new movies, if he would stay jobless. Abhishek humbly replied that it all depends on his audience.

Another user once asked AB if he ever wondered that he got movies because of his dad. Abhishek candidly replied, “Kaash jo aap keh rahe hote sach hota. Sochiye, kitna kaam milta mujhe. (I wish what you’re saying was true. Imagine how much work I’d get).”

Abhishek has always been open about his struggles in the industry and never sugar-coated his hardships or privileges. Earlier, he said in an interview, “I know when my films don’t do well, I know of the films I was replaced from, of the films that could not get made — that started and didn’t have the budgets because I was not bankable at that point. Here you have Mr Amitabh Bachchan’s son. Oh, he is born with a silver spoon.”

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Well, no one can really deny that nepotism does exist in the industry but one has to agree that it is a two-way street and everyone goes through their individual struggle. The least everyone can do is not spread hatred and negativity unnecessarily!

Abhishek will soon be seen in movies like Ludo, Bob Biswas, and The Big Bull. 

Featured Image: Instagram