Kriti Sanon has always been very open about her experiences as an outsider in Bollywood and has done so even more in a new interview. She talks frankly about the trials of establishing herself in this industry. Some of Kriti’s most memorable stories involve losing movies to ‘star kids’ and feeling lost as she tried to find her path in a business where familial connections can often take precedence over ability.
Kriti has stated that she has seen other actors from film families receive projects she was originally attached to. Nonetheless, she does not hold any resentments towards these actors because they worked hard for what they have achieved.
Speaking about the nepotism debate, Kriti said, “Whether it’s Ranbir Kapoor or Alia Bhatt, they have proven themselves. They are talented actors and deserve to be where they are.”
She acknowledged that there are different opportunities for different people. She thought, at times, it is harder for someone, who doesn’t have a name because of who their family is, to get a second chance to showcase their talent, whereas others who were not born in this film industry, have to fight for every chance they get.
Kriti stated that she came into the film industry, with no history in films. She went through phases of self-doubt and questioned whether she was doing enough when she made her first movie back in 2017. Since her start in the industry, she has felt as though she has had to continue to prove herself with every subsequent project. Her journey into the industry has been a slow climb and not an immediate rise.
Some of her projects…Bareilly Ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi and particularly Mimi (the film for which she won her first National Award), have changed how people view her as an actress and, for her, the role she played in Mimi became the moment she received the validation that she needed/wanted.
She felt that the access one has to the industry can be a door that opens many doors for an actor but that there are many more factors that go into sustaining a career than just having access to a famous last name. To Kriti, an actor’s talent, acceptance by audiences, consistency of that actor or those actors will ultimately determine who is able or not to build a long-term career.
Her story serves as a reminder that even though Bollywood is not always an equally level playing field, with determination, hard work, and persistence, an actor can still be successful, even if that actor did not start their career with a famous last name.
