Junaid Khan on nepotism; Says ‘I get work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son’; Opens up about industry privilege

Junaid Khan has addressed the nepotism debate with striking honesty. The actor said he does not feel uncomfortable with the term and readily admits that his family background has helped him build a career in the film industry. The young actor, who is the son of Aamir Khan, said he understands the advantages that come with being part of a prominent film family.During a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani on YouTube Junaid shared his perspective on the ongoing discussion around nepotism in Bollywood. He made it clear that he does not view the word as an insult and believes it accurately describes the opportunities he has received. He said, “The word ‘nepotism’ doesn’t irritate me because it’s true. I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son.”When the conversation turned to his current professional journey, Junaid answered with a light-hearted remark. He acknowledged that he is still getting projects despite delivering two commercial disappointments. He said, “Sir, abhi 2 flops ke baad kaam mil raha hai, kaam karne dijiye na. (Sir, even after two flops, I’m getting work. Let me work first!)”Junaid also offered his thoughts on the way casting decisions are made in the film industry. He said producers often prioritize actors who can help market a film rather than those who may be the best fit for a particular role. He said, “Producers have to sell their films, therefore, they will hire someone they can sell. Their priority is what they can sell, not what is best for the film. They are not looking at which actor suits the character best, but rather which actor can be marketed more easily… For me, it’s not an insider versus outsider debate. It’s about not casting someone just because you can sell them. Cast someone who is right for the film.”Junaid Khan’s recent romantic drama 'Ek Din' has struggled to attract audiences in theatres. The film failed to show significant growth during its run and posted underwhelming collections.According to Sacnilk, the movie has earned an estimated Rs 4 crore net in India after ten days of release.