The nepotism debate has revived in Bollywood after Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise. (Photo: Taapsee Pannu, Kangana Ranaut, Anurag Kashyap/Instagram)
The nepotism debate has been reignited after the demise of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. While there is no official statement by authorities on the reason behind his suicide, Twitterati and many celebrities have concluded that his death was in some way connected to nepotism in Bollywood.
Recently, Kangana Ranaut appeared on a channel where she spoke about the prevalent culture of nepotism in Bollywood and how that resulted in Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. The conversation around nepotism was first ignited by Ranaut on Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee with Karan in 2017, where she called the filmmaker the ‘flag-bearer of nepotism’.
In Kangana Ranaut’s recent TV interview, she called Taapsee Pannu and Swara Bhasker “B Grade actresses” and “needy outsiders.” To this, Pannu said in a tweet, “Before that there is someone trying to use divide n rule policy in the film industry. Yes, there are differences between people born with pedigree and the ‘outsiders’ but we aren’t battling each other we are battling for a better system to co-exist not by mudslinging and name-calling. (sic)”
Simi Grewal applauded Kangana’s frank attitude in the interview and tweeted, “I applaud Kangana Ranaut who is braver & bolder than I am. Only I know how a ‘powerful’ person has viciously tried to destroy my career. I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave.” She added, “I don’t know what all of you felt after watching #KanganaSpeaksToArnab but it has left me quite depressed. I’m distraught at what Sushant Singh Rajput endured and also what many ‘outsiders’ go through in Bollywood. (sic)”
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani tweeted, "In an industry which is misogynistic, gender biased and sometimes quite murky the important thing for Women who have made it (insiders/outsiders) to do is to STICK TOGETHER. Need to stop all this tamasha and fight for the important things. #EqualCredit #EqualPay #justsaying"
Actor Esha Gupta tweeted, "If history has taught us anything, it’s the fact that, whenever a woman rises against authority, she’s called either crazy or bossy or difficult. It’s easier to be a part of herd than stand against all."
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said if ever his film Paani is made, he will dedicate it to late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
"If you want to journey with the Gods, or your creativity, you have to walk each step in devotion. In humility. God willing #Paani will get made one day. If it does, I will dedicate it to Sushant. But it has to be made with partners that walk in humility, not in arrogance," Kapur tweeted.
The film was supposed to star Sushant Singh Rajput. However, it was shelved.
Television actor Nakuul Mehta posted on Twitter, "'The talent of making everything about oneself' can be a legit category at every Bollywood award."
He further wrote, "Is making someone's passing away your hashtag considered normal in 2020? Can one legitimately enjoy someone's artistic work whilst being in disagreement with their larger moral ground? How do we categorise artists as A / B / C grade? Basis their monetary worth or largesse of imagination/depth of work/ sincerity to craft?"
Salil Acharya took to Twitter and wrote, "With all the anger online and the finger pointing, the real issues of #mentalhealth have just been forgotten. #bollywood was always everyones dream who wanted to be an actor , srk , salman , akshay i guess we all wanted to be them but the burnout rate is high #SushanthSinghRajput"
Actor Payal Ghosh supported Kangana Ranaut in her recent tweet. She mentioned, "Finally, the nepotism and the heavenly #SushantSinghRajput matter. @KanganaTeam came out and spoke for all of us outsiders. She truly has been voice of the conscious for bollywood."
Sona Mohapatra took to Twitter and wrote, "Insider ho ya outsider.When it comes to this ‘category’,mostly it’s ‘I Me Myself’. Narcissistic,self-absorbed & zero concern for the 100 others who actually make a good film happen which gives only this ‘category’ disproportionate returns.The rest can keep slogging. Who cares. A system that does not reward actual creators of content like writers but keeps making ‘stars’ out of one lot-‘heros-heroines’is likely to reap nothing glorious in the long run.Just more mediocrity.Nepotism flourishes cus audiences allow it to.The toxic ‘Star System’ is the same."
"We have all been pushed to say things we’d rather not.." tweeted actor Swara Bhasker on the nepotism debate.
Writer Chetan Bhagat shared his thoughts on the nepotism debate and reflected that he was given no credit for the story of 3 Idiots which went on to win critical and commercial acclaim.
Stating that he has had enough of the debates surrounding the industry, the director said all he wants is to make good movies. The filmmaker wrote in a tweet, "I didn't know why I came. I just wanted to make movies. I have just started figuring out why though."
"Bollywood is a synonym for a life style. Necessarily independent cinema is not a promotional vehicle for a life style," tweeted Sudhir Mishra.
"It's just plain ironic to see news channels and media houses do long bulletins about equality and fairness in the entertainment industry. No one has done as much damage as you, no one panders to stars more than you, and no one is milking a tragic death for ratings more than you," tweeted Vir Das.
"I used to wanna protect my name in situations, now I just wanna protect my peace. I let whoever think WHATEVER,” Jacqueline wrote in a cryptic note on her Instagram stories. The actor was last seen in the Netflix film Mrs Serial Killer.
"D people who al r attacking #KanganaRanaut 4 her statements r exposing themselves of who they r from inside but remember when karma hits back, then it hits back at u wit no menu, u get served what u deserve ? So brace yourselves, it's coming at u all," tweeted cricketer Manoj Tiwary.
"Tigers are born, can't be grafted. Tigers are a breed, can't be converted by promises. Right or wrong is not the question here. But taking a stand is. #KangnaRanaut is courageous. She roars even without a support, against most powerful, who, perhaps are able to destroy her," tweeted writer Ravi Rai.
Accused by various social media users of changing his stand on the nepotism debate, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on Tuesday took to Twitter to share an old video where he is seen candidly talking about his days of struggle.
Swara Bhasker shared on Twitter, "Had an introspective moment. I think we owe #SushantSinghRajput ‘s family an apology 4 the number of times they must’ve read his name in our arguments. This is not about us. Sushant has a release coming up, let’s celebrate the memory of the bright life we lost. Let’s be kind."
In an interview with Pinkvilla, Kangana said, "When I spoke to Karan about it, I was just kind of teasing him, pulling his leg. Had I known these people are so dangerous, had I known it would cause death, had I known it is not just something to joke about or tease about, it is just not something about snatching films. It is not only about films, it is also about vengeance, the sadism of the human psyche."
Anurag Kashyap shared an interview of Kangana from 2010 where she says that star kids have their quote in Bollywood, just like she had her quota while giving PMT exams, because of her family. He shared this with the caption, "This thread is exactly my point .."
Esha Gupta took to Twitter and shared, "If history has taught us anything, it’s the fact that, whenever a woman rises against authority, she’s called either crazy or bossy or difficult. It’s easier to be a part of herd than stand against all." To this, Kangana's team replied, "Thanks for your support
@eshagupta2811, means a lot"
Swara Bhasker shared a clip from a 2016 Express Adda where she questioned Karan Johar about the perception of him launching star kids in Bollywood. She wrote in the caption, "Dear @KanganaTeamin an Interview 2 @pinkvilla you said & I quote, “Swara said that my claims of nepotism are fake.” This is untrue. I’ve only said that 'everyone agrees Nepotism exists in Bollywood, it has structural reasons.’ Here is a clip of me from 2 sept 2016
@ExpressAdda"
Taapsee Pannu shared the video where Kangana dismissed teh insider vs outsider debate and wrote, "Arre !!???? Toh ab final kya hai ? Matter karta hai to be from the ‘inside’ or no. Yaar yeh sab kuch bohot confusing hota jaa raha hai. I’m gonna sign out of this before I forget ki mera stand kya hai."
Kangana Ranaut's team then replied saying, "Dear @ReallySwara none of you were born in the golden era of Indian cinema, after Gangsters mafias and Dons took over the industry it became big stinking gutter and feminism and parallel cinema awakening happened with Queen 2014 if not please correct us when it happened ?"
In her interview with Republic TV, Kangana said there are various outsiders in the film industry who engage in unnecessary flattery and mentions Swara Bhasker and Taapsee Pannu's names. She proceeds to say that feminism started with her 2014 film Queen. Swara Bhasker took to Twitter to reply to this statement. She replied sarcastically stating that it was Kangana who started the parallel cinema movement with Pather Panchali in 1955. She added that Kangana started feminism in 2013 but before that she fought for India's independence in 1947.
Swara Bhasker shared an old video of Kangana where she dismisses the insider vs outsider debate and says that after the first film, 'it is up to the audience'. Kangana's team replied on Twitter, "You're picking up a10 yr old video when movie mafia didn’t care about her existence & didn't consider her an A-lister. Criminal cases, Threats, Bullying, Character assassination started after Kangana became a top star in 2014, she has mentioned many times before, pls don’t misguide."
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap shared an old interview of Kangana Ranaut, that she gave soon after the release of Manikarnika. Sharing the video clip, Kashyap wrote on Twitter that he doesn't know this woman anymore. He also added that many of her old directors now don't want to work with her. He further wrote that if Kangana's friends and family can't see this, then someone is surely taking advantage of her. Kangana's team replied, "Here is mini Mahesh Bhatt telling Kangana she is all alone and surrounded by fake people who are using her, anti nationals, urban naxals the way they protect terrorists now protecting movie mafia."
In a tweet directed to Swara Bhasker, Kangana Ranaut's team wrote, "It’s evident your motive is to simply distract from the culprits who killed Sushant, people like you not only protect terrorists and anti nationals but also protect movie mafia dons, shame on you and your evil intentions..."
Writer Kanika Dhillon took to Twitter and wrote, "Just cos I write an appreciation tweet 4a bright-talented-successful woman @taapseedoesn’t make me ‘LEFT’!Jst cos I feel @KanganaTeam Ur incredibly talented doesnt make me ‘RIGHT’.I can hav an opinion widout being accused o’murder-coverups’.U speak ur mind-extend d courtesy pls."
Swara Bhasker recently replied to a tweet that read that while filming for Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Ranaut abused Bhasked in front of 200 people. The tweet then questioned Kangana, 'is this not mistreatment of outsiders?' Swara replied to this tweet confirming the incident and wrote, "#SupportMax by reigning national award winning outsider-star to “needy- outsider” ! Circa 2014. Sigh! Such #happymemories @teamkangana"
Replying to a tweet, Taapsee Pannu shared, "There is no film as 'solo' film , there is no actor such as 'chota mota' actor. A film is a TEAM effort including all departments, all actors. The protagonist in NOTHING without the support of the ‘supporting’ cast. Respect is EARNED not COMMANDED." The tweet mentioned had the video of Kangana Ranaut talking about cutting roles of actors in her directorial Manikarnika.
In another tweet, Anurag Kashyap wrote that his films aren’t produced by Dharma, Excel or YRF. In fact, he has made his own company. He added, “When Kangana did not have any work, made Queen. When Tanu Weds Manu was stopped, I helped Aanand L Rai and made him meet financiers.”
On Tuesday, actor Ranvir Shorey took ti Twitter and shared, "So many independent-film-crusaders have turned mainstream-bollywood-flunkies now. These are the same people who used to rant 24/7 about the “system” for attention before they were given entry into the pearly gates of mainstream Bollywood. #Hypocrisy much?" To this, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap replied, "Do you really mean that @RanvirShorey. If you do please explain. Please say exactly what you mean and whose flunky is who?"