Entertainment
Veteran actress Rati Agnihotri’s son Tanuj Virwani talks about the ongoing nepotism debate in the industry – ‘Don’t think I had a very big launch’
Tanuj Virwani, who is the son of yesteryear actress Rati Agnihotri, has added his voice to the ongoing discussion about nepotism in the industry. Tanuj gave his thoughts on nepotism. His career has been characterized by continuous growth as opposed to a sudden ascent.
During an interview with NDTV, Tanuj was questioned if being Rati Agnihotri’s son has had any effect on his career.To which, he responded, “Luckily, nepotism didn’t impact my career because, firstly, I don’t think I had a very big launch. It’s not like I was launched by Yash Raj or Dharma Productions; everyone is aware of my own career trajectory. Secondly, my screen surname is Virwani, while my mom’s screen surname is Agnihotri, so many people don’t even make the connection that we are related, which worked out great for me. I like to be my own person; my failures should be mine, and my successes should be mine as well. That’s very important to me.”
The actor acknowledged that nepotism does exist and also discussed families’ natural tendency to provide for one another. “Nepotism exists, there’s no doubt about that. It’s prevalent in every industry, but it’s more spoken about in ours because it’s such a glamorous industry. Tell me, why wouldn’t you want the best for your son, daughter, niece, or nephew? That’s the way it is. You definitely get better opportunities at the onset of your career if you are related to someone who is either very powerful or very successful in their field,” he stated.
Tanuj agreed that although having a powerful family can offer an early advantage, one’s own skill and dedication ultimately decide one’s level of success in the long run. He shared that one must demonstrate their abilities as an actor. Failure to do so will result in the audience not purchasing tickets or subscribing to streaming platforms. There have been numerous instances of star kids failing to achieve success, while others have excelled greatly. Likewise, many individuals from outside the industry are thriving in the present day. Ultimately, having a supporter may facilitate entry into the industry, but to sustain a lasting career, one must possess the necessary skills and determination.
For the unversed, Rati Agnihotri is an acclaimed actress of the 1980s and 1990s. The actress has worked in a number of notable films. Some of her well-known films include Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Rajput (1982), Kshatriya (1987), Batwara (1989), and Love Story (1981).
On the work front, Tanuj Virwani made his debut in Bollywood with the film ‘Luv U Soniyo’ in 2013. He has since worked in films like ‘Purani Jeans’, ‘One Night Stand’ and ‘Yodha’. Tanuj has also been featured in a number of web series including Inside Edge, Poison, Code M, Illegal – Justice, Out of Order, The Tattoo Murders and Cartel.
During an interview with NDTV, Tanuj was questioned if being Rati Agnihotri’s son has had any effect on his career.To which, he responded, “Luckily, nepotism didn’t impact my career because, firstly, I don’t think I had a very big launch. It’s not like I was launched by Yash Raj or Dharma Productions; everyone is aware of my own career trajectory. Secondly, my screen surname is Virwani, while my mom’s screen surname is Agnihotri, so many people don’t even make the connection that we are related, which worked out great for me. I like to be my own person; my failures should be mine, and my successes should be mine as well. That’s very important to me.”
The actor acknowledged that nepotism does exist and also discussed families’ natural tendency to provide for one another. “Nepotism exists, there’s no doubt about that. It’s prevalent in every industry, but it’s more spoken about in ours because it’s such a glamorous industry. Tell me, why wouldn’t you want the best for your son, daughter, niece, or nephew? That’s the way it is. You definitely get better opportunities at the onset of your career if you are related to someone who is either very powerful or very successful in their field,” he stated.
Tanuj agreed that although having a powerful family can offer an early advantage, one’s own skill and dedication ultimately decide one’s level of success in the long run. He shared that one must demonstrate their abilities as an actor. Failure to do so will result in the audience not purchasing tickets or subscribing to streaming platforms. There have been numerous instances of star kids failing to achieve success, while others have excelled greatly. Likewise, many individuals from outside the industry are thriving in the present day. Ultimately, having a supporter may facilitate entry into the industry, but to sustain a lasting career, one must possess the necessary skills and determination.
For the unversed, Rati Agnihotri is an acclaimed actress of the 1980s and 1990s. The actress has worked in a number of notable films. Some of her well-known films include Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Rajput (1982), Kshatriya (1987), Batwara (1989), and Love Story (1981).
On the work front, Tanuj Virwani made his debut in Bollywood with the film ‘Luv U Soniyo’ in 2013. He has since worked in films like ‘Purani Jeans’, ‘One Night Stand’ and ‘Yodha’. Tanuj has also been featured in a number of web series including Inside Edge, Poison, Code M, Illegal – Justice, Out of Order, The Tattoo Murders and Cartel.
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