Tusshar Kapoor on nepotism & survival in Bollywood: "I was told I didn't look like a hero"

Actor Tusshar Kapoor, known for his debut in 'Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai' and comedy hits like 'Golmaal,' has opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career, despite being the son of veteran actor Jeetendra.


In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Tusshar reflected on the growing discourse around nepotism and how the media scrutiny began even during his debut era in the early 2000s.


Scrutiny Started Long Before the Buzz
While the conversation around nepotism gained momentum in recent years, Tusshar revealed that criticism of star kids isn’t new. “It had started in my time too,” he said, adding that he often felt targeted by a section of the media. “You have to be very thick-skinned. There was a lot of negativity. They tried to pull you down constantly,” he said. Recalling media reactions to his appearance, he added, “If you came naturally to a press event, they’d say ‘you don’t look like a hero’. If you came styled, they’d say ‘you’re too filmy’.”


No Red Carpet for Star Kids
Contrary to the belief that star kids have it easy, Tusshar shared that while getting a debut might be easier, sustaining a career is equally, if not more, difficult. “You don’t exactly have a red carpet. Even the first film, that’s a chance. The rest is all unknown,” he explained. He added that expectations are disproportionately high for those with a film lineage and that any success is quickly downplayed.


Unfair Comparisons & Moving Forward
The actor pointed out how outsiders are often celebrated for diversity, while those from film families are subjected to constant judgment. “No matter how many hits we give, we’re told ‘oh, he only does multi-starrers’,” he noted. Tusshar credits his ability to stay grounded and focused on work for helping him survive 24 years in the industry. “The audience is pure. They judge you by your work, not your background,” he concluded.


Tusshar Kapoor has made it to the theatres with ‘Kapkapiii’ this Friday. The movie tells the story of a close-knit group of friends, craving excitement, who decide to experiment with an Ouija board just for fun. But what starts as a harmless game soon spirals into terror when they unknowingly invite the spirit of a mysterious woman into their home.

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