‘BOLLYWOOD IS A FAMILY BUSINESS’

Actor Prachi Desai is unhappy about how Bollywood is biased towards actors from film families

Actor Prachi Desai (left) is among the few actors who have had a successful transition from television to films. The 28-year-old however feels sad about the fact that Bollywood is still biased towards actors who hail from film families and have someone from the industry backing them and actors like her with no filmy background have to keep on proving their acting prowess.

“Bollywood is a family business and that’s what it thrives on. There are star kids whose pictures are flashed all over the internet even before they decide when and how they are going to debut. And then, there’re talented actors who may not get those opportunities. So, it’s about family connection in Bollywood,” says the Rock On actor. Prachi reveals that she too has faced the brunt of this favoritism and adds, “Few films that I’ve been in contention for, I know girls’ fathers have contacted those filmmakers that they are eyeing that film. It’s nothing new and happens all the time.”

Prachi who shot to fame with TV show Kasamh Se, calls herself an outsider in Bollywood. “I’ve had an unconventional journey. At 17, I did my first TV show and my first film at 19, a role way beyond my age. I was critically acclaimed for the roles on TV, but in films, I’ve to keep proving myself time and again,” she shares.

Not letting the journey come to a halt, she asserts, “All I’ve to be is resilient as there must be a reason why I’m here. Also, I look up to actors Vidya Balan and Kangana Ranaut who do amazing work and that’s what I’ve been doing till now.”