Back in 2017, actress Kangana Ranaut sparked a major debate in Bollywood when she brought the issue of nepotism into the spotlight. Nearly a decade later, the topic continues to make headlines, with people across the entertainment industry still being asked how it has influenced their careers.The conversation reignited when Zoya Akhtar launched Suhana Khan (Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter), Khushi Kapoor (Sridevi’s daughter), and Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson) in The Archies. While the film featured a large ensemble cast, the inclusion of these three star kids in lead roles raised several eyebrows.
In a recent interview, actress Delnaaz Irani, who played a supporting role in the film, said she finds the entire nepotism debate “unfair.” She shared that she was deeply impressed by Agastya Nanda’s humility and good manners during the shoot. Delnaaz even revealed that she personally called Jaya Bachchan to praise her grandson — a gesture that left the veteran actress “overwhelmed.”
Delnaaz Irani on nepotism and her experience working in ‘The Archies’
In a chat with Hindi Rush, Delnaaz opened up about the ongoing nepotism debate and offered her honest take on the issue.
Questioning the notion of nepotism
Delnaaz said, “They are all very talented children, and everyone got the same treatment. There were many other kids as well, and they were all very sweet.”She further recalled, “After I met Agastya and shot for a few days, I came back from Mauritius and called up Jaya ji. She was so overwhelmed — I could feel it on the phone — and she said, ‘I will definitely tell Shweta.’ I told her, ‘He is such a well-brought-up kid.’ I had to do this because he truly is. The kind of respect, the kind of conversation, the work and dedication — it’s admirable.”Delnaaz also noted that star kids often face immense scrutiny and pressure even before their debut. “I feel they are more under pressure. They can break down even before they attempt anything because there is so much pressure,” she said.
“Stop comparing them — it’s unfair”
Delnaaz spoke out against the constant comparisons made between newcomers and their famous parents, calling the practice completely “unfair.” She questioned, “Why would you compare Khushi to Sridevi? Why can’t you just let her be — as a person, as an actor, as an individual? This is a stupid topic.”She also mentioned Abhishek Bachchan, who has faced comparisons to his father Amitabh Bachchan throughout his career. “I have seen so much of Abhishek, and I feel he is brilliant. So why is there any comparison? Because Mr Bachchan is such a huge megastar. If you compare anyone to him, they will look small in front of him,” she added.
