Madhu Chopra, mother of global icon Priyanka Chopra, recently addressed the much-debated topic of nepotism in Bollywood during an interview with the YouTube channel Breaking Stereotypes. Sharing her candid views, Madhu dismissed the term ‘nepotism,’ suggesting it was coined by those frustrated with their own circumstances. The topic has been a longstanding discussion in the entertainment industry, particularly in Bollywood, where accusations of favoritism have surfaced over the years.
Reflecting on the nepotism debate, Madhu Chopra emphasized the importance of talent and merit, stating, “When you bring in talent, merit, then you can’t talk about nepotism. It has been going on for generations in every industry. You would want to give the same opportunities to whom you love. Every parent thinks that way. But your responsibility is to hone their talent to deserve that place. Undeserving people get thrown out, nepotism doesn’t last.”
Madhu further explained that while families may want to help their children enter the industry, sustained success is only possible through genuine talent. “Nobody will put money on you if you are somebody’s son. You have to have talent. I feel nepotism is a word coined by frustrated people who don’t see this,” she added, defending the practice of providing opportunities to loved ones, but with the caveat that talent will ultimately determine long-term success.
Priyanka Chopra’s Take on Being a ‘Nepo Baby’
Priyanka Chopra herself has also weighed in on the topic of nepotism in previous interviews, acknowledging that she faced different struggles as an outsider in Bollywood. In an interview with Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast, Priyanka opened up about her anxiety during a difficult period in her career. Recalling the string of flops she experienced in 2008, Priyanka admitted she feared for her future as she lacked the familial connections many of her contemporaries had.
“I was terrified when those six movies did not do well because I’m not a nepo baby,” Priyanka revealed. She added that unlike many actors in Bollywood who come from multi-generational acting families, she didn’t have the luxury of multiple opportunities. “I didn’t have that kind of support which exists in a big way in Bollywood movies. They are multi-generational actors that come in and get multiple opportunities vs the ones that come in from outside.”
Priyanka’s concern about her career longevity was amplified when her mother, Madhu, warned her that age was a factor. “I was panicked and my mom was panicked. She came to me and she goes, ‘You know you are going to be 30 soon.’ She is like, ‘You know that is old in this industry. They want to work with 20-year-olds, so you need to think of a revenue stream if you are going to sustain yourself.’”
This frank conversation ultimately led Priyanka to explore other ventures, including production, which has since become a successful aspect of her career.
Navigating Nepotism and Talent
Both Priyanka and her mother Madhu Chopra offer different but complementary perspectives on the industry’s dynamics. While Madhu defends the desire to provide opportunities to family members, she maintains that only talent can ensure long-term success. Priyanka, on the other hand, has shared how her journey was shaped by being an outsider, and how her lack of familial support pushed her to find alternate ways to sustain her career.
As Priyanka prepares for her upcoming roles in Heads of State and The Bluff, the ongoing conversation about nepotism in Bollywood continues to be relevant. However, both Madhu and Priyanka underscore that, at the end of the day, talent, determination, and hard work are the ultimate deciding factors in achieving success.