Ayaan Agnihotri addresses uncle Salman Khan's old joke about his 'nepotism tag': 'I don't care, a lot of people stress over it'

Salman Khan’s nephew, Ayaan Agnihotri, has stepped into the music industry with his debut single, 'Universal Law'. In February this year, at the grand launch in Dubai, Salman Khan playfully teased Ayaan about the "nepotism tag." The young musician has now spoken about choosing his moniker and the discussion surrounding nepotism.
In a conversation with India Today, Ayaan revealed why he chose to go by the stage name Agni and how he perceives the ongoing nepotism discourse. Ayaan recalled that he began writing music around seven to eight years ago and initially wanted to share his work anonymously. "I didn't want to have an identity but only build a persona and express what I thought and felt," he explained.
He ultimately chose Agni, derived from his surname, as it represented both a part of him and the powerful element of fire. He further pointed out its connection to hip-hop culture, where "burn" signifies excellence. He believes that the things he could not say as Ayaan can be expressed through the identity of Agni, allowing him to feel liberated and free.

During the discussion, Ayaan was reminded of Salman Khan’s remarks at his song launch and was asked about his stance on nepotism. The young artist remained unfazed, asserting that he sees the term as misunderstood. "Honestly, I don't care. I know a lot of people stress over it, but I firmly believe it's something taken out of context," he said.

He further compared it to long-standing traditions of passing down professions within royal families, business dynasties, and political legacies. "We come from a culture where we are taught to support our own and look after our friends and family. And when you do so, it's called nepotism. How is that fair? I really feel people have started misusing the term and taking it completely out of context," he stated.
Ayaan acknowledged the influence of his artistic surroundings. He admitted to being inspired by family members who are successful writers, directors, producers, actors, fashion designers, and stylists. He shared that growing up in such a creative atmosphere helped him pursue his passion.
When asked about the person whose feedback he values the most, Ayaan didn’t hesitate before naming his father. He and his father always connect over music.