Neil Nitin Mukesh, part of a celebrated musical lineage as the son of playback singer Nitin Mukesh and grandson of the legendary Mukesh, has stepped into the limelight with a candid perspective on one of Bollywood’s most polarizing topics—nepotism. While the industry continues to grapple with accusations and assumptions around star kids and privilege, Neil brings in his own lived experience to challenge the popular narrative.
Trained at Anupam Kher’s esteemed acting school, Actor Prepares, Neil dismisses the idea that familial ties automatically translate to success. “Had there been some advantage of being a ‘nepo kid,’ I would have been somewhere else today. I wouldn’t have gone through such a struggle,” Neil told ANI. “Nepotism is glorified only in our field because, as actors, whatever we do, we come into the limelight quite easily. ‘Nepo kid’ has become slang these days. If anyone feels it is a privilege, it is not.”
Highlighting actors who’ve made their mark without any connections, Neil cited names like Kartik Aaryan, Rajkummar Rao, and Vikrant Massey as examples of how talent often trumps lineage. “They do not have a film connection or identity as such. But they are doing excellent work because their art speaks for them,” he said.
Neil also questioned the selective outrage over nepotism in Bollywood when similar dynamics are common across professions. “If a doctor’s child becomes a doctor, maybe that’s nepotism too. If a diamantaire makes his child a diamantaire, that is also ‘nepo kid’ in a way. If a father can give an upbringing to his child based on his experience, that’s natural,” he argued.
While acknowledging that guidance from parents can be valuable, Neil underscored the distinction between inherited opportunity and earned achievement. “Sometimes, it feels bad because you can hand over the reins if it’s a business, but you cannot hand over art. An artist carries forward their identity only through their own work,” he emphasized.
As the nepotism conversation continues to divide opinions in the industry, Neil Nitin Mukesh’s reflections serve as a reminder that every artist’s journey is uniquely their own—shaped not just by background, but by dedication, grit, and the ability to let their work speak louder than their surname.
