Karan Johar On Nepotism: Staying Relevant in Bollywood Is Not Easy, Will Do What It Takes

The ghost of nepotism is not leaving Karan Johar's side. The debate about nepotism in the industry started when Kangana Ranaut referred to Karan Johar as the “flag bearer of nepotism in Bollywood” on his own show Koffee With Karan. Later in a discussion at LSE, London, Karan denied all allegations of nepotism saying that he has launched people with non-film background as well and that is “reverse of nepotism.”

However, all the claims made by Karan were quashed by an old video that surfaced online, where the filmmaker openly admitted of practising nepotism in the industry citing examples of casting his SOTY actors Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan.

As the chatter of him being a prominent face of Nepotism grew louder, the filmmaker has come out with a statement accepting the existent nepotism in the industry. In the statement, Karan says, "I agree and accept that nepotism is a reality, that it exists. Nepotism is a result of easy access to an exceptional resource. I acknowledge that my father was a producer and that made my first film, even the idea of it possible. But let's also not forget that I started as the son of a producer with five failures behind him."

The filmmaker also asks the ones questioning him about this practice, "What should we do? Stop working, or doing the work we want to do?

He further adds, "To stay relevant in this industry over 20 odd years is not easy and I will do what it takes. Nothing matters more to me than the commerce of my art. The success of my company, my legacy: These are of paramount importance to me. Unabashed and Unapologetic."

Well, looks like all the heat of the debate has got the better of the filmmaker as he couldn't keep it all inside and felt the need to come out in open and be unapologetic about the way he has been making his films a success - Nepotism or no nepotism.

Let’s see how the industry reacts to the brutally honest opinion of their most-loved filmmaker.