New Delhi: Star kids and those with famous last names, such as Khan and Kapoor, are typically the centre of attention in the glittering world of Bollywood. Many outsider artists have spoken out against the favouritism and nepotism in the Bollywood industry. Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan feel that the importance of having a star surname is decreasing. The couple was recently interviewed by Anupama Chopra for Film Companion where they talk about people’s obsession with a star surname.
Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan were asked if last names still matter in the Hindi film industry. Saif said, “The audience and people are so interested in star kids. I mean look at ‘Archies’ for example. They're constantly being photographed, constantly being followed. I mean tomorrow if somebody wants to make a movie with one of them, it's not rocket science.”
Giving an example of his older son Taimur Ali Khan, Saif shared, “There was Taimur doing Taekwondo and people were photographing him. It's on the internet. So, we don't want that kind of attention.”
Saying that ‘we don’t make a star kid’, Saif added, “We might make him biologically but what makes the starkid is the press, the photographers and then the audience who perhaps quite innocently just want to see a star kid.”
As they continued their conversation, the importance of talent and hard work emerged as guiding principles. Kareena added, “You might have a last name but it doesn't mean you have talent.”
She also believes that having millions of followers on social media doesn’t make someone a star. She emphasised, “You have to prove yourself through your body of work."
About Kareena and Saif’s work life
Kareena will be next seen in 'The Crew', which has Rhea Kapoor as an executive producer. Saif, on the other hand, was last seen in 'Adipurush'.