As the nepotism debate surrounding Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies intensifies, actor Gulshan Devaiah weighed in on the topic, saying that the entire dialogue was simply an excuse for a choose few to settle private scores. His tweet comes just a few days after director Zoya Akhtar shared the teaser of her upcoming movie, which stars Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda and Sridevi’s daughter Khushi Kapoor.
Gulshan wrote, “Opinion: The nepotism debate harnesses the angst & disdain that many have from within & outside the Hindi entertainment industry to serve the interests of a few who use it to settle personal scores. This business is tough & very unfair but nepotism is not it’s greatest problem.” He added, “As an actor (for example) the anxiety & insecurity comes from the need for opportunities & there are privileged ones who have it a bit easier but this is a bit of an illusion that’s amplified/coloured by personal & peer opinions based on individual and collective disappointments.”
Opinion: The nepotism debate harnesses the angst & disdain that many have from inside & outdoors the Hindi leisure trade to serve the pursuits of some who use it to settle private scores. This enterprise is hard & very unfair however nepotism isn’t it’s biggest downside.
— Gulshan Devaiah (@gulshandevaiah) May 17, 2022
He additional wrote, “If a producer wants to capitalise on the public interest in a star kid then it’s their prerogative to do so. It’s no crime. This method has its more than fair share of failures. Film production is a private business. It’s not based on merit the way for eg: education, sports are.” In one other tweet, he wrote, “This is the nature of this business. It’s tough.. very very tough & hence forget being rich & famous but to be a regularly working actor is most desirable. People have to find their way through this very very subjective & judgemental business (audiences also judge).”
The nepotism debate has all the time hounded the movie trade, however was kicked into the next gear after Kangana Ranaut accused Karan Johar of being the ‘flagbearer of nepotism’ on Koffee with Karan. It was reignited after The Archies teaser was launched on Saturday. In the movie, Suhana will supposedly play Veronica Lodge, whereas Khushi will play a model of Betty Cooper. The movie is ready in 1960’s India and is alleged to be a musical.