Tarun Khanna Cites Kapoor Family While Discussing Nepotism: 'When I Start Naming, You Will Be Surprised' - EXCLUSIVE

Actor

Tarun Khanna recently opened up about Bollywood's long-running nepotism debate and shared why he couldn't return to films despite getting work early in his career. During an exclusive conversation with Telly Talk India, the actor pointed to film families, including the Kapoors, while discussing how connections have always existed in the industry. Khanna said getting the first opportunity remains one of the biggest challenges for outsiders. However, he also defended nepotism in films, arguing that there is nothing wrong with industry insiders helping their own children enter the profession.

Tarun Khanna on why he couldn't return to films and nepotism

Speaking to Telly Talk India, Tarun Khanna said that film families have always been a part of the industry. Referring to the Kapoor family, he pointed out that many actors have benefited from family connections and argued that getting an entry into films is often the toughest hurdle for outsiders."I couldn't go back because my father doesn't make films. My mother also doesn't produce or direct films. 90% of the people who work in films come from the film family. When I start naming you, you will be surprised. Be it Raj Kapoor or Deva Nand, they also had big brothers. All the people from the Kapoor family have a connection. It's easy to say that you got the first chance. But it's very difficult to get the first chance," he said. He further added that only a few actors have managed to build successful careers without industry backing. "There will be very few people like Shah Rukh Khan or Sushant Singh Rajput or Kartik Aaryan who came and cut his own flag."

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Khanna also explained why he never made a return to films and said he lacked the industry support that many actors receive through their families. "I couldn't go back because my father doesn't make films. My mother also doesn't produce or direct films." The actor shared that television provided him with steady work and recognition, making it unnecessary for him to chase opportunities elsewhere. "We got work continuously on TV. When you get good work on TV, why should you go here and there?" Tarun Khanna also says 'Nepotism is not wrong' While acknowledging that nepotism remains a controversial topic, Khanna said he does not see anything inherently wrong with parents helping their children enter the film business. "Nepotism is not wrong in the film industry. It's wrong to say that nepotism is bad." He further added, "The one who invests has a right to become a hero himself. He can make his son a hero. He can make his driver a hero. He can make his washerman a hero. He can do whatever he wants. There is nothing wrong with nepotism. I don't think it's wrong."However, Khanna clarified that he takes issue when people continue to receive opportunities despite repeated failures."Nepotism becomes a problem when some people are not doing well. They didn't do well in one film. They didn't do well in two. They didn't do well in three, four, five, six. They are not going to do well even in seven. Stop bashing them on us."He also cited several successful actors from film families, including Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Varun Dhawan, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, saying they had proved themselves through their work.Meanwhile, Tarun Khanna is a popular Indian actor known for his work in television and films. He is best known for playing Lord Shiva in shows such as RadhaKrishn, Shrimad Ramayan, Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyaag Taandav, and Veer Hanuman. Apart from television, he has also appeared in films like Dishoom and Modi Ji Ki Beti, as well as several Punjabi movies.