Bollywood is star-driven, not a talent-driven industry: Swara Bhaskar

Actor Swara Bhaskar says she has been in situations where someone got a better role because of their contacts. However, she prefers not to use the term nepotism.

Swara Bhaskar has never shied away from voicing her concerns over matters, which other stars might feel apprehensive talking about. Nepotism was one such burning topic that was discussed at length in the recent past, owing to the Karan Johar-Kangana Ranaut spat, where Kangana accused Karan of nepotism. The fact that Swara shares a close bond with actor Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Anil Kapoor, doesn’t stop her from sharing her views.

Actors Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar would share screen space in Veerey Di Wedding, which is helmed by Rhea Kapoor.

“I wouldn’t call it nepotism because it’s the wrong word. The [film] industry is dynamic in nature, based on relationships and that is true. Also, we’re a star-driven industry not a talent-driven industry and unless this doesn’t change, you can call it nepotism or feudalism or whatever you want to call it. The fact still remains that children of stars come with a certain kind of advantage,” says Swara.

Swara says that she has often been in situations where someone ended up getting a better role just because of their contacts. “Come on, it’s not an IAS exam where the top 10 scorers get the part. There have been cases where bigger stars have been cast instead of me for example and honestly, they were not even big stars. It is just people’s perception about them.”

However, Swara is quick to add that she never got those [nepotistic] vibes from Sonam, who she says has always supported her. “When people say this industry is nepotistic or whenever I hear the term nepotism, I think of Sonam [Kapoor] and how she has always been by my side and been encouraging of my work. The way she readily agrees to promote my films is amazing and who could be more insider than her?” says Swara, who would share screen space with Sonam in the chick flick Veerey Di Wedding.

Full of praise for her Sonam, Swara adds, “When I look at Sonam, I think maybe things are not that bad and you shouldn’t judge people by where they are born and where they are coming from, because they really can’t help it. At the end of the day, everyone should get the chance to prove themselves.”

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