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Arshad Warsi says Kangana Ranaut came up with the idea of nepotism and it became big: ‘It’s not easy for star kids'

Arshad Warsi said he loves nepotism and further defended the star kids, saying they face pressure of high expectations from the audience.

Published on: Aug 30, 2026, 14:19:29 IST
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Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi has never been one to shy away from calling things as he sees them. Speaking about the much-debated conversation around nepotism, the actor acknowledged that star kids may get an easier entry into the industry but insisted that staying successful ultimately comes down to talent. He also opened up about seeing the pressure of being a star kid through the eyes of his own children.

Arshad Warsi talks about nepotism

Arshad Warsi says Kangana Ranaut made the idea of nepotism big.
Arshad Warsi says Kangana Ranaut made the idea of nepotism big.

In a podcast with Filmygyan, when asked about the nepotism debate when he entered the industry, Arshad said nepotism was not a topic when he started his career. He added, "Kangana came out with the idea of nepotism, and then it got big, and everyone started talking about it. Yes, it's there, but it doesn't bother me. My heart tells me at the end of the day it's about how talented you are and that's how far you will go."

He added, "I also know that it's not easy for a star kid. The expectations are so high. It's like today I see that happening with my child. The impression other people have of them, because they are my kids, is that they have to be good actors. I feel like, 'oh my god, don't say that,' because everyone has their own personalities. Too much is expected of star kids, and they have to live up to too many people's expectations. It's not fair. The maximum that can happen to them is a door gets opened faster, but if you are not talented, it shuts down quickly."

Arshad has two children, a son named Zeke Warsi and a daughter named Zene Zoe Warsi.

About Arshad Warsi's upcoming films

The actor is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Ghamasaan. Helmed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, the film also stars Pratik Gandhi, Rajpal Yadav and Ishita Dutta in lead roles. The film is scheduled to release on ZEE5 on September 11.

Arshad will also be seen in King. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film stars Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, alongside Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and others in key roles. The film marks SRK's return to the big screen after two years and is set to release in theatres on December 24. It will clash at the box office with Nagarjuna's King100, which marks the superstar's 100th film.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Riya Sharma

Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.

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