Suniel Shetty once weighed in on nepotism, said he didn't force Athiya and Ahan: 'Are my kids not allowed to dream?'

Nepotism has long been one of Bollywood’s most debated topics, and Suniel Shetty has never shied away from addressing it. The actor, who carved his own space in the industry without a film background, believes the conversation often overlooks the bigger picture.

Reflecting on struggles and his children’s journeys

In a 2020 interview with ETimes, he reflected on both his personal struggles and the journeys of his children Athiya and Ahan, he once emphasized that while star kids may get a first opportunity, sustaining a career ultimately depends on talent, hard work, and audience acceptance.


Early challenges in his career

Coming from a family with no film background, the struggle was real. Even after his first hit, he was written off by critics, who found his performances stiff and suggested he return to the restaurant business. Instead of letting that discourage him, he took the criticism seriously and used it as motivation. He focused on improving his acting while sharpening his action skills, eventually creating a space of his own in the industry. For him, criticism became fuel for growth rather than a reason to quit.

Why the nepotism debate feels unfair

The actor admitted that the constant debate around nepotism feels unfair and hurtful. He believes it exists in every profession, not just in films. For him, it’s natural that a son or daughter of an actor might dream of following the same path—just as the child of an industrialist often aspires to take over the family business. Having grown up watching the love and admiration their parents received, it’s only natural for children to want the same for themselves. He feels it’s no different from parents using their influence to get their child into a good school. To him, the idea that star kids should not be allowed to dream of becoming actors simply because of who their parents are makes little sense.

Supporting aspiring actors beyond his family

Shetty further explained that beyond his own children, he actively works to create opportunities for thousands of aspiring actors. Through his online talent hunt platform, nearly 2.7 lakh youngsters are waiting for a chance, and he constantly appeals to filmmakers to give them opportunities. He feels it’s unfair that only the film industry is singled out when discussions of nepotism or favoritism arise. While star kids face criticism and even abuse, he points out that the industry has always given back and stood by people in times of need.

For him, the focus should be on treating every child as an individual rather than judging them by their background. He acknowledged that groupism exists in Bollywood, but emphasized that it’s not unique to films—it’s present in every field. The way forward, he believed, is to accept this reality while striving to create space for talent to shine, wherever it comes from.

When asked how Athiya and Ahan feel about the nepotism debate, Suniel shared that even they question whether being star kids means they aren’t allowed to dream of becoming actors. He reminds them that he himself did not come from a film family and never received a big-banner launch. Similarly, both Athiya and Ahan got their breaks independently, based on the potential others saw in them—not because he pushed them into the industry.

He also believed that while being a star kid may give someone an initial advantage, it doesn’t guarantee success. Beyond the first film, it is the audience, the strength of the subject, and the chemistry with co-actors that truly determine whether a career lasts. For Athiya and Ahan too, the real test lies in proving themselves through their work and continuing to earn opportunities on their own merit.


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