How nepotism played a role in Neil’s career
The nepotism debate keeps on resurfacing time and again. And it’s not only the new star kids on the block who have to deal with questions on their talent, but even the existing actors with a fair amount of films to their credit are often questioned about their place in the film industry.
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh shares his opinion by citing his career as an example. Neil says that difficulty started right from his debut film Johnny Gaddar (2007), and that he didn’t enjoy the positives of nepotism. “When I started, I knew that there would be comparisons. There was also this thing that a singer’s son can’t be an actor and vice versa. Though I was interested in music, too, I felt more inclined towards acting,” he continues, “I didn’t want to debut with something regular, and was looking for something different. That’s when (director) Sriram Raghavan sir offered Johnny Gaddar to me. I loved the script, but also knew that the box office result might not be satisfactory. Surprisingly many liked the film, critics gave good reviews, people still talk about the film, and I’ll always be indebted to Sriram sir for it. But it took a long time to find takers.”
In a career spanning 12 years, while Neil had a good start with Johnny
Gaddar, it took him two more years to settle in Bollywood with his first commercial success New York (2009). “That success came when I thought things aren’t going as expected, and had started to lose hope. I guess the idea is to hang on and giving your best,” he says, clarifying why his career in the film industry is not a by-product of nepotism.
“In my case, nepotism acted just the opposite way. People talk about it a lot these days, but I won’t say I’ve got many favours. My father (singer Nitin Mukesh) was clear from the beginning that I’d have to make it my own. So there have been struggles. There’s no anger or sadness, I’m happy doing what I do, and now that I’ve started making my own content I’m enjoying every bit of it,” says Neil, who will be seen next in Firrkie.
In my case, nepotism acted just the opposite way. People talk about it a lot these days, but I won’t say I’ve got many favours.
NEIL NITIN MUKESH ACTOR