Mumbai: Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a glowing example or outsiders making it big into the industry which is infamous for its nepotism culture. The global icon, however, had her share of the last moment rejections because 'someone else was recommended to the producer.'
When Kangana Ranaut called Karan Johar 'flag bearer of nepotism' on his own show in 2017, it kind of hit the industry like an earthquake sending aftershocks across the nation till date.
Ever since then insides and outsiders have been consistently prodded to express their views. While few have been honest about the menace that prevails in Bollywood, some tried in vain to be politically correct. But, not PeeCee. She has multiple times given the right insight into the debate.
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READ | What went wrong? Sushant's death prompts Bollywood to introspect on how it treats outsiders
In an interview dated back to 2017, Priyanka was asked if she agrees with the fact that nepotism rules Bollywood. In her honest reply, PeeCee had said, "There is nothing wrong in being born into a family that has a legacy. Outsiders don’t have a foot-in-the-door access. Star kids have the insurmountable pressure of living up to the family name. Every star has their individual journey. In mine, I have faced a lot. I have been kicked out of films because someone else was recommended to the producer. I cried and got over it. Eventually, those who are meant to be success stories become that, despite all hindrances.”
The Baywatch star was again seen talking about the existence of favouritism and 'privileged club' in the Hindi film industry when she made heads turn at the Women in the World Summit in New York City last year.
At the 2019 event, the actor, producer, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador had said that Bollywood and nepotism go hand in hand but did not deny the fact that there are few incredibly talented people who create their own legacy.
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READ | When Sushant Singh Rajput talked about nepotism in Bollywood
"Nepotism and Bollywood go hand in hand. But there have been few incredible actors over the years that have been able to penetrate that and make a name for themselves and then create their own legacy. Which is also what I am also hoping to do. It was very hard. I did not know anyone. Everyone was friends with everybody when I joined the movie business. I was not very good at networking and going to the parties. It was a little difficult, but I kind of depended on the fact that I was not afraid to take on risky parts. I depended on the fact that I would do things and perform in my characters that when people come out of a movie they don't recognise me they recognise my characters. I started working on the craft I started working on the art of it. Of course I learnt dancing and made sure I was good at that," said PeeCee who took the 14th spot with an annual earning of Rs 23.4 crores in Forbes India’s 2019 Celebrity 100 list.
The nepotism debate took over the social media ever since the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput earlier this month. Many celebrities are facing wrath of netizens for allegedly promoting nepotism and scuttling the chances of outsiders.
