Tusshar Kapoor, known for his breakout in Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai and popular comedy roles in Golmaal, recently opened up about the early struggles of being a star kid in Bollywood. Despite being Jeetendra’s son, Tusshar revealed the harsh spotlight was on him right from the start.
Long before the nepotism debate gained traction, Tusshar says he was already facing judgment. “Back in the early 2000s, there was already criticism around star kids. You had to develop thick skin,” he shared. “If you dressed casually at events, you weren’t ‘hero’ material. If you dressed up, it was ‘too filmy’.”
He dispelled the common notion that being from a film family means a free ride. “Yes, getting a debut is easier. But beyond that, nothing is guaranteed. There’s no red carpet laid out for us,” Tusshar explained. He emphasized that expectations are often unfairly high for insiders, and their accomplishments are frequently downplayed.
Tusshar also highlighted the imbalance in perception. “When outsiders succeed, they’re celebrated for bringing something new. We’re often judged or boxed into labels like ‘only does multi-starrers’,” he said. Yet, he credits his 24-year survival in the industry to staying grounded and focused on his craft.
Now back in theatres with Kapkapiii, a horror comedy about friends summoning a spirit through an Ouija board, Tusshar proves he’s here to stay.