‘DON’T JUDGE MY WORK BASED ON WHO MY WIFE IS’
Kunal Kemmu says he remains indifferent to the judgments that he faces due to his wife’s lineage
As the nepotism debate rages on in Bollywood, many have talked about the insider vs outsider prejudice or the lack of level playing field. Weighing in on the same, actor Kunal Kemmu, says, “If you have box office success, you are an insider, if not, then you’re an outsider. I have seen my share of it, but it stands true for everybody.”
The Kalyug (2005) actor adds, “Film Industry hasn’t existed forever. It’s made by people who came from different parts of the country. It was built by outsiders.”
Kemmu, who is married to actor Soha Ali Khan, daughter of actor Sharmila Tagore, sister of Saif Ali Khan is often questioned about his connections. “People will always say something. I have to choose what kind of criticism I want to take. Don’t judge my work based on who I am and where I have come from or who my wife is, but if you do, it does not matter to me. All that matters is your talent and the rest is noise,” he adds.
The 37-year-old feels that it is all about that Friday and box office performance of a film. “Anyone who has a good Friday is toasted and when they don’t, they might slowly fade, they will stop getting calls, shows will not want them anymore and magazines don’t want to put them on their cover,” the actor explains.
So, what’s the cut off for a person to be considered an insider? “I didn’t have a filmy background, I’ve been doing it (acting) since I was 7. In those terms, I’ve been an insider but still, maybe, I feel like an outsider,” concludes Kemmu who started his career in 1993 with Sir and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke.