Nepotism is just the surface of this superficial problem that is rooted in our obsession with stars and their families
Last Updated: 06.15 PM, Dec 18, 2023
Bashing the nepokids from The Archies is a passe. Aaradhya’s performance as the evil countess at her school’s annual cultural event seems to be the talk of the country where the nation wants to know the real shape of her forehead and if she has outperformed The Archies' kids. Social media is flooded with questions like if her parents are really breaking up and if Aaradhya Bachchan will be the biggest star by 2030. To add the cherry on top, AbRam spread his arms like Shah Rukh Khan in the same event and netizens fell in love with the inheritance of his father’s legacy.
Let’s admit it. We are obsessed with star kids. They are papped, trolled, judged, praised, and constantly compared with their parents. If one gets a break, we call them a nepokid. When they fail, we call them ‘such a loser’, and if they succeed, we give almost all credit to the parents unless they become someone like Saif Ali Khan or Alia Bhatt, who shine bright on their own right after their share of struggles.
Not so long ago, The Archies were the hot favourite of all the nepo-related chatrooms. Social media peeps loved to hold Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, and Agastya Nanda responsible for the misery of the film. Meanwhile, the miserable script walked out scot-free. It is not rocket science to understand that The Archies falters not just due to their bad acting but also due to the makers who let a beautiful premise, gorgeous sets, and chic costumes go for a toss due to bad writing and sophomoric making. Suhana’s resemblance to her father has nothing to do with it.
It is time that we get a grip on our emotions and behave a little like adults who know that star kids can’t cease to exist. Famous people will have families and children will grow up. Those children will have a livelihood, following or not following their parent's footsteps. Many successful professionals dream that their children will flourish in the same profession as theirs. From doctors to musicians to lawyers and writers - there are many many examples of the inheritance of legacy. There will be some success stories such as Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and so on. And some stories will not be as celebrated – for example, Uday Chopra or Arjun Kapoor or even Abhishek Bachchan. Most importantly, success stories have always been and will be written with individual talent, hard work, and conviction, and definitely not by the recommendations of their parents. They might get a cushy launch pad but can’t borrow their parent's wings to fly high for long.
These children will have a life. Celebrating or not celebrating them is our choice. But our obsession with them will only show our joblessness. Looks can be inherited. Talents can’t.