Adivi Sesh Says India Is ‘A Nepo Country,’ Reveals ‘I Was Too American For India’

Actor Adivi Sesh has spoken candidly about identity, opportunity and privilege in India’s film ecosystem, describing the country as “a nepo country” while reflecting on his early struggles breaking into the Telugu film industry. In a recent conversation with Screen, the actor revisited the challenges he faced before establishing himself and acknowledged the support he later received from industry figures such as Mahesh Babu and Nani.

Adivi Sesh On Auditions, Identity And Being Judged

Sesh, who grew up in San Francisco before moving to India to pursue acting, recalled feeling out of place during his initial auditions. He shared an anecdote from a casting interaction that highlighted how perceptions shifted based on assumptions about his background.

“So, after reading the lines in the audition,

they asked, ‘Where are you from?’ When I said San Francisco, they said, ‘Yes, there’s an American accent in your Hindi.’ The next week, I went for an audition to the same place, I told them I’m from Hyderabad. So they said, ‘Oh ya, that’s why there’s a South Indian twang to your Hindi’ (laughs). So, I was too Indian for America, too American for India, too North Indian for South India, and too South Indian for North India,” he said.

His recollection underscored the cultural balancing act he navigated while trying to find footing in the industry, illustrating how perceptions about identity often shaped first impressions before talent could be evaluated.

‘Audiences Don’t Care’: Actor On Nepotism Debate

Addressing whether securing opportunities in Telugu cinema was difficult, Sesh offered a broader take on nepotism and societal structures. “Honestly, even if you go to an Indian village, the son of a doctor becomes a doctor only, and a farmer’s son becomes a farmer. So, I think we’re a nepo country (laughs). But audiences don’t care. They’re interested if you do something that others are not. Now more than ever before, it’s very democratic.”

He also highlighted how relationships built on respect helped him find backing within the industry. “My luck is I earned respect of a lot of these film families from the first day itself. A lot of them have supported me. Like Mahesh Babu produced Major. Dacoit is being produced by Annapurna Studios (owned by Nagarjuna and family). My friend and favourite actor Nani produced Hit: The Second Case. So, it’s a matter of respect more than anything,” he added.

Looking ahead, Sesh has a busy slate of projects. He will next appear alongside Mrunal Thakur in Shaneil Deo’s Dacoit, which is being filmed simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu and also features Anurag Kashyap. He is also part of G2 with Emraan Hashmi and Wamiqa Gabbi, directed by Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi. The Telugu drama is slated for theatrical release on May 1, 2026, and includes Murali Sharma, Supriya Yarlagadda and Madhu Shalini in supporting roles.