Actor Raghav Juyal is undeniably enjoying a significant upswing in his acting career. After earning widespread acclaim for his villainous turn in Kill a couple of years ago, he is now basking in praise for his compelling performance in Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba*ds of Bollywood. While his character and acting in the series have garnered considerable love from fans, a recent statement from Raghav during an interview has, ironically, earned him the ire of a significant portion of the internet, reigniting the long-standing and contentious debate around nepotism in Bollywood.
Raghav’s controversial comments came during his appearance on Ranveer Allahbadia’s popular podcast. The host directly addressed the elephant in the room, asking Raghav if he was comfortable with having a “nepo kid” in his life – a thinly veiled reference to Aryan Khan, the director of The Ba*ds of Bollywood and son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Raghav’s response was not only affirmative but also came with an analogy that quickly drew criticism. He stated that he “definitely wants one,” then proceeded to offer a real-world example to justify his stance.
”There is a grocery shop in Dalanwala. A father was sitting there, and now his son sits there. No one is complaining about the nepo kid there. He got the shop easily. He is handling the money, too. It happens everywhere a little,” Raghav explained, attempting to normalize the concept by comparing it to generational inheritance in other professions. This analogy, however, failed to resonate with many, who felt it oversimplified the complex dynamics of power, access, and opportunity in a creative industry like Bollywood.
Raghav then went a step further, offering unsolicited advice to those who voice objections to nepotism. “I don’t understand why people complain. I don’t think you should complain. Just work hard on yourself. Get up, work hard, and become a somebody that you can have your own little nepo kids,” the actor added. This “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” philosophy, coming from someone benefiting from a major project directed by a star kid, struck many as tone-deaf and dismissive of the systemic barriers faced by outsiders.
The Internet Reacts: Nepotism vs. Generational Wealth
The debate surrounding nepotism in Bollywood and the perceived advantage of star kids in securing opportunities is a perennial one, and Raghav Juyal’s comments immediately fanned the flames. Reddit, a hotbed for such discussions, was quick to criticize Raghav, with many users pointing out that generational wealth in a family business like a grocery shop is fundamentally different from nepotism in a talent-driven industry like acting.
One Redditor articulated this distinction clearly: “I understand his compulsions. But this advice of working hard and finding your way – the thing is your hard work will only be rewarded when the opportunities are available to you. If the opportunities are closed to you because you are an outsider, you can be extremely talented and hard-working and you will not get anywhere.” This comment highlighted the systemic nature of the problem, arguing that hard work alone cannot overcome a lack of access to opportunities.
Another comment echoed the sentiment, expressing admiration for a different celebrity known for her outspokenness: “Such a bad argument. You know that’s why I like Kangana, yes, she is crazy and has her flaws, but she is not spineless and calls a spade, a spade.” This comparison implicitly criticized Raghav for what some perceived as a lack of courage or honesty in addressing the issue.
A significant portion of the criticism centered on the perception that Raghav was defending nepotism because he himself was currently benefiting from a project directed by Aryan Khan. One user complained, “Bro speaks likes this because he is getting advantage from it. if he did not had opportunities he would not talk like this. its completely ok to call out unfair advantage. just because you are benefiting by close proximity to nepotism does not mean every body should accept ‘bad nepo actors’. this is what irks me about successful outsiders, they are just try to justify nepotism.” This perspective suggests a frustration with successful outsiders who, once established, appear to validate the very system they once struggled against.
However, not all reactions were negative. Many users came to Raghav’s defense, attributing his stance to the pressures of surviving in the industry. “He too knows it, but he has to sustain in the industry,” wrote one user. Another added, “I am not a fan of Raghav or have never seen any of his acts…but what you are all expecting from him…he has to sustain in this controlled industry and all his hard work will go into the water if he gives any controversial statement, so completely understandable…he can’t do anything about it.” These defenders suggested that Raghav’s comments might be a pragmatic response to the realities of Bollywood, rather than a genuine belief.
Raghav Juyal’s Journey: From Dancer to Acclaimed Actor
Raghav Juyal’s career began in the dance world, where he first gained recognition as a contestant on Dance India Dance season 3. He later transitioned into hosting various TV reality shows, becoming a familiar face on the small screen. His acting debut came with Sonali Cable in 2014, but his first major breakthrough role was in Salman Khan’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. This was followed by acclaimed negative roles in Kill and Yudhra. His recent performance as Parvaiz in The Ba*ds of Bollywood, which premiered on Netflix last month, has earned him a new legion of fans, solidifying his position as a versatile actor. The timing of his controversial statement, amidst this career high, only amplified its impact.