Nepotism isn’t bad, if it merits talent: Celina

Celina Jaitly Haag recently opened up about facing harassment in Bollywood for almost eight years, before she decided to take a break. While she agrees nepotism is prevalent in every sector, the actor-activist feels a problem arises when it blocks the entry of new talent.

“Nepotism is not bad, if there’s a successful transition from one generation to another, which merits talent. But when it doesn’t merit talent, there’s is a big problem. Despotism favours the despot, nepotism favours the despot’s genes. Also, children from film lineage have natural immunity from sexual harassment that exists in Bollywood. And my journey was always a yo-yo between the two,” she says.

Would she, then, be okay if her kids decide to pursue films? “Of course, if they have talent, they’ll shine. I’d always encourage them to be part of inclusive, harassment-free work environments. Each of their projects must also give an opportunity to a new talent to shine,” asserts the actor, whose short film, Seasons Greetings, was awarded at 9th Best Shorts Film Festival in California, USA.

Haag, 38, recently stepped down as brand ambassador of Kashish International Film Festival over the debate around anti-caa slogans raised at a Pride gathering earlier this year. Talking about the trolling she faced for her association with the festival, she says, “Social media had initially emerged as an important platform for influencers and public to interact openly. But in recent years, the interaction has become toxic, with the rise of hate speeches, harassment, offensive content, specifically against women. Most of the violent trolling emerges from baseless allegations. It should be deemed illegal.”

Celina Jaitly Haag