Neil Nitin Mukesh says nepotism is sensationalized in Bollywood: 'Had it been an advantage, I wouldn’t have struggled so much’

Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has spoken out against the perception that being a star kid guarantees success, calling nepotism an "overhyped" debate in the industry. Despite his musical lineage—being the grandson of legendary singer Mukesh—Neil insists that his journey has been anything but easy.
'Nepotism has become slang these days'
“If being a nepo kid really gave an advantage, I wouldn’t have had to struggle so much. I would have been in a completely different place today,” he told ANI. According to him, nepotism is sensationalized in Bollywood because actors are constantly in the public eye. “It has become a slang term now, but people don’t realize that it doesn’t work the way they think it does.”
The actor highlighted how industry outsiders like Kartik Aaryan, Rajkummar Rao, and Vikrant Massey have made their mark purely through talent. “These actors don’t come from film families, yet they are doing exceptionally well. That’s because their work speaks louder than their backgrounds,” he said.

'You can inherit a business, but not talent'
Neil also drew comparisons with other professions, questioning why the nepotism debate is exclusive to Bollywood. “A doctor’s child becoming a doctor or a businessman’s child taking over the family business isn’t seen as nepotism. Why is it different for actors?”

While he acknowledged that parents can guide their children, he firmly believes that artistic success can’t be inherited. “You can pass down a business, but you can’t pass down talent. An artist must prove themselves on their own,” he concluded.