Celebrities have spoke about their take on the ongoing nepotism debate that has currently been raging in the industry while, most have maintained that talent is what matters above all. Actor Shreyas Talpade, too, says that while the powerplay and lobbying culture is highly prevalent in the film industry, talent can beat any obstacle.
“Nepotism and favouritism are here to stay. But we can’t just focus on that while moving ahead. At least I don’t want to. I’ve never done a Karan Johar or a Yash Raj film, I’ve never approached them, nor have they showed interest in working with me. But that doesn’t make me any less an actor. It also doesn’t mean the end of my career,” he adds.
With not much of a desire to work with big banners and underlining the importance of a compelling content, the 44-year-old feels ecstatic that he could fulfil his dream of working with people he admires, such as actors Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, and filmmakers Farah Khan and Rohit Shetty.
“Now I want to work with Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, too. But then I’ll only work with them in opportunities where I’m equally respected because I deserve that for the hard work I’ve been putting in, in my work,” he says.
Talpade has made it this far in the industry without having any filmy connections or a godfather, he considers himself a proud outsider.
“My days of struggle when I didn’t have money to pay rent, buy a sandwich or take a bus to the studio, made me even stronger. Industry kids would never know how it feels to do everything on your own. Let them have their privileges. I feel sorry they don’t have a beautiful journey like we do,” he opines.
As he speaks to Hindustan Times, the Golmal actor points out that it is the matter of initial push that most of the star kids are privileged to, rest is talent and sheer hard work that decide their fate. “We all know it but take time to accept it. The sooner we do, the saner we become,” concludes the actor, who has his upcoming film Welcome To Bajrangpur besides a web film and a Marathi project.