The nepotism debate has once again come to the forefront in the aftermath of Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise. Netizens have been trolling star kids and big names of the industry for not giving ‘outsiders’ a foothold in Bollywood and crushing talent. Several celebs have also joined the fray telling their own stories about nepotism and favouritism. Acclaimed director Hansal Mehta also joined in the controversy and felt that the debate needs to be ‘broadened’.
The director in a series of tweets wrote about nepotism, favouritism and camps prevalent in the film industry. Citing the example of his son who ‘got a step in the door’ because of him, the director wrote that that was not the sole criteria for him to get the opportunity but the qualities of being ‘talented, disciplined, hardworking and having similar values’ were the actual reasons. Check out his tweets below:
This nepotism debate must be broadened. Merit counts most. My son got a step in the door because of me. And why not. But he's been an integral part of my best work because he is talented, disciplined, hardworking and shares similar values as me. Not just because he's my son.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 23, 2020
He will make films not because I will produce them. I might not. But because he deserves to make them. He will have a career only if he survives. It is ultimately him and not his father who will build his career. My shadow is both his biggest benefit and greatest bane.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 23, 2020
So when people take off on nepotism they do not really address the elephant in the room. They belittle the real battle. The battle between the powerful and the rising. The battle between old and new. The battle between rigidity and change. The battle between secure and insecure.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 23, 2020
Unfortunately, we often mistake PR, imaging, paid media and gossip as essential tools for survival here. Media uses our insecurities and aspirations to its benefit. We need to change that by being that change. Media will thrive on what you give them. Give them your talent.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 23, 2020
Not gossip. Not airport looks. Not gym looks. Moment you use your talent and hard work as your only tools a lot of the filth that you create and later suffer from will go. Aspiration is a disease as much as it is a boon. Stop it from making you sick. Use it to grow as an artist.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 23, 2020
Hiding under the guise of opposing nepotism does not make you a lesser bully. People in power (inherited/earned) have no business bullying those perceived to be less powerful or dependent on them. By focusing on nepotism some people are obfuscating the debate. #FromExperience
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 24, 2020
When a netizen pointed out that the debate was about the talented not even getting opportunities, Mehta wrote that it was ‘nobody’s fault’ that his son gets the chance. However, he wrote that even the ‘privilege’ has to be earned to be inherited.
Point is that I started without that advantage. And it's nobody's fault that my son gets a foot in the door. Privilege that is inherited has to be earned to be retained. Privilege that is earned has to be sustained and retained. https://t.co/s3tRF5ghdx
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 23, 2020
The nepotism debate has made several celebrities leave Twitter and turn-off the comments section on Instagram.
(Source: Twitter)
