Kriti Sanon: Star kids always have an upper hand

She may not have a pedigree to boast of or a godfather in the industry to pull the strings, but Kriti Sanon has been lucky to begin her career with two hits — Heropanti (2014) and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale (2015). While the 26-year-old actress admits that she has been “fortunate to have been accepted by the industry and the audience” sans a filmy background, she feels Bollywood isn’t free of nepotism.

“Star kids always get an upper hand at the start of their career. People in the industry often know them from the time they were toddlers, so they show support to them when their film is about to release. Besides, actors with celeb parents have better accessibility [to opportunities]. The industry serves as a support system for them, unlike in the case of other actors,” she says.

However, in the same vein, she adds, “The industry today is far more accepting of outsiders. I chose this career knowing this reality [that star kids are favoured]. I get to take credit for my achievements for which I am pretty proud of myself.”

Up next for her are Raabta (with rumoured beau Sushant Singh Rajput) and Bareilly Ki Barfi opposite Ayushmann Khurrana; both films are slated to release in 2017. Kriti recently opted out of Farhan Akhtar-starrer Lucknow Central citing date issues. She says it was unavoidable: “Had there been anything to be done about it, I would have definitely done that. We were trying to sort out the dates for the longest time, but eventually, it didn’t work out.
Besides, at times, if things aren’t working, maybe it’s for a reason. Beyond a point, it is better to let go of it.”