Does Being A 'Nepo Baby' Always Mean An Easy Life?

Growing up as a celebrity's child, or a "nepo kid," is often seen as a golden ticket to a problem-free life. We're all captivated by their luxurious vacations, designer clothes, and glamorous lifestyles, assuming a silver spoon solves everything. While their privileged upbringing certainly offers advantages, it also thrusts them into an intense spotlight, setting them up for a unique set of challenges. 

When these nepo kids enter the industry, they're not treated like typical newcomers; they're immediately held to an impossibly high standard, expected to possess the same level of talent and charisma as their famous parents from day one.

The Weight of Legacy

The nepotism argument frequently overlooks a crucial point: connections can open doors, but they can't create talent. Every child deserves the best opportunities, but being born into a famous family doesn't automatically make you the best at what you do. Not just in the film industry, the pressure to perform well just to carry on the legacy is in every field. 

Earlier this year, musician Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of Pandit Ravi Shankar, took to social media to call out the sexist comments on her social media posts, from unsolicited remarks about her clothing to judgments about her personal life. Anoushka wrote a moving caption about embracing her body, self-acceptance, and standing strong in the face of criticism.

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A post shared by Anoushka Shankar (@anoushkashankarofficial)

Meanwhile, some of the harshest comments attacked her background, with messages like, 'You should respect the legacy of Ravi Shankar,' or 'You should not do this on social media, think about your father's image, please.'

Kareena Kapoor Khan is another example. When she entered the industry, she was instantly expected to be a diva like her legendary grandfather, Raj Kapoor. This pressure is immense and often overshadows the fact that their privileged entry - often through their parents' connections to major production houses like Dharma or YRF doesn't guarantee they have the innate talent to succeed.

Alia Bhatt, from being Shanaya in Student of the Year to being Gangubai, has proved her acting skills throughout. Despite that, she has been tagged several times as a ‘nepo-kid’. 

In an interview with InStyle Australia, Alia expressed, “My initial response to it was very defensive because I just felt like, you know, I work hard, so why the question? But I think with time and with age, you realise that there’s a lot of struggle in the world, and there is a case to be made in acknowledging the headstart and acknowledging I had an easier path to get into the room.

Inheriting a famous name isn't just a golden ticket; it automatically comes with external pressure and public scrutiny. Besides this, every individual deserves the right to live a life with dignity and respect, even if they have an ‘easier path’. 

Views expressed by the author are their own.