Jaaved Jaaferi dismisses nepotism debate as "unnecessary," says "Audience is the boss"

Veteran actor Jaaved Jaaferi has weighed in on the ongoing nepotism debate in Bollywood, calling it "unnecessary" and emphasizing that an actor’s success ultimately depends on the audience’s approval. Speaking in a recent interview, he stated that while industry insiders may support their family members, they do so at their own financial risk, and the audience has the power to either accept or reject them.

Jaaved cited Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan as an example, stating, "Even if Bachchan Sahab launched his son, it's his money, and he's backing what he believes in. If the audience rejects it, then the only losers are Mr. Bachchan and his son. So where's the nepotism?" He argued that producers take personal financial risks when launching someone, and if the audience doesn’t approve, no amount of family connections can ensure sustained success.

The actor-comedian further elaborated that many industry insiders had to prove their talent despite their backgrounds. He highlighted actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Sunny Deol, stating that they earned their place through hard work rather than simply benefiting from their family names. He also pointed out that even some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, struggled initially before making their mark.

Discussing Abhishek Bachchan’s journey, Jaaved acknowledged that while he had multiple opportunities in the industry, he ultimately had to prove his acting skills. He added, "He didn’t work box-office wise, but he was a good actor, and he has improved his craft. This nepotism business doesn’t count all the time."

Jaaved also dismissed claims that nepotism is the biggest challenge for newcomers, reinforcing that the audience is the real decision-maker. He gave the example of Akshay Kumar, who, despite coming from a non-filmy background, established himself through sheer hard work. He reminded that producers are investing their own money, not public funds, and they have the right to back whoever they believe in.

On the work front, Jaaved Jaaferi continues to entertain audiences with his versatile performances. He was recently seen in films like Looop Lapeta and Jaadugar, showcasing his ability to adapt to various genres and maintain his strong screen presence.