"When you are somebody's son or daughter, then you better be strong and tough"

Tusshar Kapoor has a message for any star kid ready to make their debut: brace yourself, because the journey ahead is anything but easy. In an interview with indian.express, Tusshar opened up about the unique challenges faced by those from film families and shared insights from his own two-decade-long career.

The actor, who debuted with Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai in 2001, has experienced his share of highs and lows. He acknowledges that while it's easier for someone from a film family to get their first break due to industry connections, the struggle intensifies once they're in the spotlight.

"When you are somebody's son or daughter, then you better be strong and tough," Tusshar said. "No matter how many hits you give, there is an effort to pull you down or try to highlight what you haven't done more than what you have done. If you are not from the film world, even with very little achievement, people say 'Wow, what have you done!'"

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While the debate on nepotism rages on, Tusshar offers a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the playing field evens out after an initial boost for industry insiders. "Getting a break is probably easier for film people because of the connections," he said, "but after that it's about your own connections, how you make the movie, how you are on screen, and what your marketability is. It's definitely a bit harsher on insiders. We have to pass a number of tests to make people within the industry and otherwise believe that we are here because of our own talent."

For Tusshar, the audience remains the ultimate judge. "The audience doesn't want to see these biases. They only want to get entertained," he added.

Tusshar's acting career has seen both good and challenging times. He reflected, "There have been ups and downs. If there weren't any downs or setbacks, then I wouldn't have reached here. That cycle has to be there, it's a part of your journey which helps you grow. You just become stronger to do more work."

At 47, Tusshar feels he is in a happier place now, enjoying his work more than ever before. He reminisced about his early years, saying, "I look back at my time in the industry with a lot of nostalgia. Initially, I was still trying to figure out what I was good at and how to navigate in the film world. I had to get out of my comfort zone in the earlier days. I like the growth I have had in the industry."

Tusshar Kapoor is currently starring in the second season of Dus June Kii Raat, a comedy-thriller directed by Tabrez Khan and streaming on JioCinema. The series co-stars Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and has been met with a positive response.