In Bollywood, the debate over nepotism seems to never end and occasionally flares up. Star kids like Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are frequently brought up in this discussion of nepotism. The debate has created a narrative of outsiders vs. insiders, but Jaideep Ahlawat, being an ‘outsider’ feels differently about nepotism.
Jaideep Ahlawat on losing roles to Star-Kids
In an interview with Miss Malini, Jaideep Ahlawat revealed that nepotism never bothered him. Despite beginning as an outsider with no connections in the industry, he wasn’t insecure that he would lose his roles to star kids like Ranbir Kapoor or Varun Dhawan.
‘Ranbir will always be Ranbir’
Ahlawat claimed that if anyone, by being a star kid, believed they could be a good actor, then they were delusional. He praised the Sanju actor:Wo bahar se bhi aata na tab bhi wo Ranbir Kapoor banta (Even if he were an outsider, he would have still been Ranbir Kapoor).” The 44-year-old actor further added that it’s natural for star kids to reap the rewards of their families, who have been working in the industry for so long. Similarly, if anyone from Ahlawat’s family down the road joins the industry, he would lend a hand.
Second Ranbir Kapoor
The Jaane Jaan actor reiterated that he never came to Bollywood to follow in any star’s footsteps. He came to make his name as Jaideep Ahlawat, not as any second Ranbir Kapoor. According to him, everyone should work towards developing their image and not try to be ‘Ranbir Kapoor or Alia Bhatt’.
He mentioned industry stalwarts like Irrfan Khan and Manoj Bajpayee who established themselves in their own right. He encouraged the viewers to be true and not be a duplicate of someone else.