The tragic death of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput has started the nepotism debate yet again. And it’s taking new turns every day with many in the industry coming forward and calling out those who value lineage over talent.
While actor Sushmita Sen who doesn’t come from a Bollywood family, chose to react in the most humble way possible, newbie Radhika Madan opened up about how outsiders have to work hard and ask for auditions. Now, the nawab of Bollywood Saif Ali Khan has dropped the N-word and has been trending on Twitter all day.
During an interview, Saif claimed that he, too, is the ‘victim of nepotism’. “There is inequality in India that needs to be explored. Nepotism, favouritism and camps are different subjects. Even I have been a victim of nepotism but nobody speaks of that. Businesses work like that. I am not going to take names but somebody’s dad has rung up and said don’t take him, take him in the movie. All that happens and it has happened to me,” said Saif.
And we thought that B-Town had stopped countering the nepotism talk with flimsy arguments. But no, the nawab himself made an argument for himself merely acknowledging his privilege. Oh and, of course, he definitely didn’t earn any brownie points from starstruck fans of legendary Sharmila Tagore. We also need to remind him that his daughter Sara Ali Khan has been able to bag lead roles with big productions without showing any prior work.
The internet clearly didn’t buy his claims of being affected by nepotism in the industry. Soon, Twitter turned his victimhood into memes and jokes. Many of them highlighted how Saif, son of actor Sharmila Tagore and cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, has always been privileged and nothing else.
Here’s what Twitterati wrote:
When Saif Ali Khan Says ,
He is an Victim of Nepotism.
Audiences: pic.twitter.com/NvtfO9VxdB— RaFi (@IamRaaFii) July 2, 2020
Saif Ali Khan has actually been a victim of nepotism !!
Anyone who denies the fact is too ignorant about the behaviours & trends strangling Bollywood !! pic.twitter.com/TyYP5fNpEt— I Love You SirJi (@ILoveYouSirJi) July 2, 2020
Karan Johar: Too much attention on me bcoz of this Nepotism debate…
Saif Ali Khan: Don't worry bro, I will take care 😂😂#SaifAliKhan
— Satyajit Das (@cooldas) July 2, 2020
People trolling Saif Ali Khan for his statement "I am a victim of Nepotism"
*Saif Ali Khan to Twitteratis: pic.twitter.com/2NZf6hbAAy— Shivangi (@kamedy_kween) July 2, 2020
*Saif Ali Khan is a victim of nepotism*
Meanwhile public:- pic.twitter.com/tKrIvaIuNe— Funtastic (@FUNTA_SINGH) July 2, 2020
Me waiting for 2040 for boycotting Taimur's movie* pic.twitter.com/QsiGyVtXFc
— Muskan ☺ (@MuskanK77) July 2, 2020
#SaifAliKhan saying that he is victim of #nepotism
Le me : pic.twitter.com/X5YvWlATKc— Devil Imran (@DevilImran5) July 2, 2020
Saif :- I'm also a victim of nepotism.
Kareena :- After hearing his statement.#SaifAliKhan pic.twitter.com/7jnzQKJDaQ— Karan Arya (@mrkaranarya) July 2, 2020
Later in the interview, he also spoke about doing a cameo in Sushant’s last film Dil Bechaara. Calling Sushant a ‘bright’ personality, Saif remembered him as a polite and talented actor.
Saif’s talent is definitely not in question here. His performances such as Langda Tyagi in Omakara among several others speak for themselves. But he surely needs to understand that this whole debate is actually about the problems revolving around privilege.
Featured Image: Instagram/Saif Ali Kan