Nepotism itself is not a problem, defending it is, says Vicky Kaushal

good thing. But then, taking the advantage for granted is the problem,” says Vicky, son of action director Sham Kaushal, known for his work on films such as Black Friday (2004), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Kaminey (2009), and PK (2014).

About the guidance he received from his father, the actor says, “He told me a few things regarding what to expect and how to go about certain things. But at the end of the day, he also told me that we all have our individual journeys. He was very particular that I will have to create my own path. Nobody will give you a film because your father or mother is so and so. I am not taking whatever advantage I have, for granted. I have my own struggles.”

Meanwhile, Vicky’s film Raazi has joined the coveted 100 crore club and it being his first film to reach the mark, the actor is soaking in every bit of the success. “The unanimous positive response that the film received from fans and critics is a very special feeling. Being a part of a 100 crore film is a beautiful feeling,” he says, before adding that he realises that it also brings along a lot of expectations.

“But expectations are always good for an artist. It means people care for your work and look out for what you bring next. My constant quest in life is to be a better version of my own self with each passing day and live the present with complete honesty,” he adds. aving been a mother for over nine months, actor Soha Ali Khan is making a conscious effort to step away a little and find ways to embrace other aspects of life. Soha, who is married to actor Kunal Kemmu, gave birth to their daughter Inaaya last year.

“I have to actually work towards achieving a balance because I’m a kind of person that when something happens I get so involved in it and make it like a project. I’m very single minded in my approach and it’s very important to balance. I’m actually making a conscious effort now to step away a little bit and to take on other things, to embrace my other identities because I have been a mother now for nine months almost,” Soha says.

Her priority, however, remains Inaaya. “The more time I spend with her, the more difficult it is to walk away. I know she is fine without me, and I’m the one who crumbles without her. It’s like a contrast where you want her to be dependent on you but you also need her to be independent,” she says.

“So, I know it is more important for me to go back to work and have my own life because soon she is going to have her own friends and then she is going to be like, ‘Please, I don’t want to hang out with you’ and I’ll just be destroyed if I don’t have something of my own going on.”