Ssharad calls out nepotism

Two failed films — From Sydney with Love (2012) and 1:13:7 Ek Tera Saath (2016), was enough to force actor Ssharad Malhotra into taking a tough decision regarding his career. The actor says that the fate of these two films made him realise that he might need to go back to TV to survive in the industry. “I was very excited when I signed the two films because I wanted to be the next Shah Rukh Khan. But I soon realised that it didn’t quite work that way. The films tanked, and the next thing I knew, I accepted a role on Bharat Ka Veer Putra — Maharana Pratap on TV. I couldn’t keep waiting endlessly for a film to come my way. I needed to survive and earn my bread and butter,” says Ssharad, adding that he doesn’t believe in complaining and is grateful to the small screen for all the recognition he has received. “I love being a part of the TV industry. I am not sad at all. If I get a good script in Bollywood, I will definitely consider it,” he says.

Ssharad further adds how nepotism is something that is prominent in the industry. “I’ve seen how people with even five flop films get a sixth one just because they know someone in the industry. My fate would have been very different if I was also close to someone from the current lot of actors. But I am not, and that’s okay. I wanted to try my hand at films and I am glad that I did. I am not ashamed of the fact that my films didn’t work. That’s part and parcel of being in this industry,” he says, adding that nepotism is wrong and unfair, but also, that there “isn’t much that can be done about it”. “Having one of your parents in the industry can work wonders for you. And it can be quite unfair to those who have the talent but lack opportunities,” he says.

I’ve seen that people with even five flop films get a sixth one just because they know someone in the industry. SSHARAD MALHOTRA,

ACTOR