Adding more to the nepotism debate which has gained mileage from the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, Bollywood producer, and filmmaker R Balki has come out with a controversial statement.
R Balki, who has directed many ad films and films, has come out and said that one should not mix nepotism and talent. He said,
“It’s undeniable that this happens everywhere. Think about the Mahindras, Ambanis, Bajajs. Their father passed on the business to them. Does anyone say ‘No, I don’t think Mukesh Ambani shouldn’t run this business, someone else should?’ In every stratum of the society, it happens, even a driver or a vegetable seller passes on businesses to their children. So, it’s a foolish argument. Remember we live in a free society.”
Balki feels that everyone is missing the point of the problem and feels the word nepotism is used in an unfair sense. Elaborating further, he said,
“The question is do they (star kids) have an unfair or bigger advantage? Yes, there are pros and cons. But I’d ask one simple question: Find me a better actor than Alia Bhatt or Ranbir Kapoor, and we’ll argue. It’s unfair on these few people who’re probably some of the finest actors.”
Celebrate Alia’s Talent
Balki feels that people should celebrate Alia’s talent instead of talking about her being born to a filmmaker father and she has an advantage.
“Understand that audiences don’t like actors without talent. Sometimes, they also want to see star kids on screen. That’s only the first chance that you get, and then one needs to survive on their own. I agree it’s far more difficult for an outsider to make an entry in films, but talent gets the opportunity.”
He also clarified that while he is casting for a film, he looks for the one who is best suited for the role and the availability of that person and nothing else.
Source: Hindustan Times
