The conversation around nepotism may continue to dominate Bollywood, but Junaid Khan isn’t shying away from the reality of it. The son of superstar Aamir Khan has admitted that the word nepotism doesn’t bother him because he knows he enjoys certain privileges in the film industry thanks to his father’s legacy. Junaid also said he feels fortunate to continue getting work despite delivering back-to-back flops.
Junaid Khan on nepotism
Recently, Junaid joined Vickey Lalwani for a video on his YouTube channel, where he opened up about being Aamir Khan’s son and shared his views on the ongoing nepotism debate.
Acknowledging his privileged position in the industry, Junaid admitted that many opportunities come his way because of his father, saying, “The word ‘nepotism’ doesn’t irritate me because it’s true. I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son.”
He was also asked about his personal life. Following which, he quipped, “Sir, abhi 2 flops ke baad kaam mil raha hai, kaam karne dijiye na. (Sir, even after two flops, I’m getting work. Let me work first!”)”
Junaid said producers often choose actors based on how marketable they are, which is why star kids are frequently preferred since they are already familiar faces. He explained that filmmakers do not always cast the actor best suited for the role, but rather someone who can help sell the film.
Junaid said, “Producers have to sell their films, therefore, they will hire someone they can sell. Their priority is what they can sell, not what is best for the film. They are not looking at which actor suits the character best, but rather which actor can be marketed more easily… For me, it’s not an insider versus outsider debate. It’s about not casting someone just because you can sell them. Cast someone who is right for the film.”
More about Junaid
Junaid made his debut with the 2024 film Maharaj, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra. The film, based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, also featured Shalini Pandey, Sharvari and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles. It was released on Netflix and received appreciation for its performances.
He made his theatrical debut with Loveyapa, co-starring Khushi Kapoor. The romantic comedy did not perform well in theatres and received criticism for the lead pair’s chemistry.
Most recently, he appeared in Ek Din, directed by Sunil Pandey and produced by Aamir Khan Productions. It is a remake of the 2016 Thai film One Day. The film, which marks Sai Pallavi’s Bollywood debut, released in theatres on 1 May and opened to mixed-to-negative reviews. The film collected ₹1 crore on its opening day before witnessing a steady decline in collections.
Next, it is believed that Junaid will star in the upcoming instalment of Ragini MMS, Ragini 3, which stars Tamannaah Bhatia.