Amidst the debate on The Archies cast, Gulshan Devaiah pens a shocking note on nepotism

The word nepotism and the discussion around it is a never ending debate in the Hindi Film Industry. Be it the new ones or the old, established ones, star kids are always scrutinised for their presence in the industry owing to their last name. But every time a new star kid is launched, this debate gather more and more steam. Recently, Zoya Akhtar shared the first look and teaser of her upcoming musical, The Archies, which is an Indian adaptation of the international comics by the same name. The film launches three actors from film families–Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan, Boney Kapoor’s daughter Khushi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda. Ever since the announcement, the nepotism debate again came into action and recently, actor Gulshan Devaiah offered his two cents on the issue defending the industry kids.

While Gulshan Devaiah didn’t take the name of The Archies or the actors being launched in it, he did offer his opinion on the issue in a long thread on twitter. He wrote, “Opinion: The nepotism debate harnesses the angst & disdain that many have from within & outside the Hindi entertainment industry to serve the interests of a few who use it to settle personal scores. This business is tough & very unfair but nepotism is not it’s greatest problem. (sic)”

Check out the entire thread here:

Opinion: The nepotism debate harnesses the angst & disdain that many have from within & outside the Hindi entertainment industry to serve the interests of a few who use it to settle personal scores. This business is tough & very unfair but nepotism is not it’s greatest problem.

— Gulshan Devaiah (@gulshandevaiah) May 17, 2022

The actor added, “As an actor(for example) the anxiety & insecurity comes from the need for opportunities & there are privileged ones who have it a bit easier but this is a bit of an illusion that’s amplified/coloured by personal & peer opinions based on individual and collective disappointments. If a producer wants to capitalise on the public interest in a star kid then it’s their prerogative to do so. It’s no crime. This method has its more than fair share of failures. Film production is a private business. It’s not based on merit the way for eg: education, sports are. The Arts cannot have a system based on merit because it’s the most subjective of fields & people are picked for an opportunity based on subjective opinions. Talent, experience, work ethic etc do play a major part but it’s still a subjective opinion that create the opportunities. (sic)”

Gulshan went on to share, “This is the nature of this business. It’s tough.. very very tough & hence forget being rich & famous but to be a regularly working actor is most desirable. People have to find their way through this very very subjective & judgemental business (audiences also judge). Not all are able to find their way. Success toh door ki baat hai “Survival” itself sucks the life out of many. But !! It’s not as bad (as even I make it sound) if one is equipped with a strong character, an aptitude to learn/improve & an ability to deal with disappointments well.Those who can’t end up as fodder for “some” to use for their self serving interests. Aap ka kuch nahin hoga lekin woh loog aap ke angst ka bharpoor upyog karenge by making you feel that you are not where you are because of Nepotism! (sic)”

The Archies is directed by Zoya Akhtar and will stream exclusively on Netflix in 2023. It stars Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Mihir Ahuja, Dot, Vedang Raina and Yuvraj Menda. Meanwhile, Gulshan was last seen in Badhaai Do and up next he has Taapsee Pannu’s maiden production Blurr, in which he stars opposite the actress.

Also Read: The Archies: Suhana Khan to Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda and Dot, ALL you need to know about the star cast