Sonu Sood talks about nepotism, boycott trend, and the representation of various religions on screen

Actor Sonu Sood is an outsider to the Hindi film industry but he has carved a niche for himself with his spectacular performance in films like ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Shootout at Wadala’. Apart from Hindi, he has also acted in Telegu, and Tamil films.

During an interview with the news agency ANI, Sonu was asked if he feels nepotism poses a threat to budding talent. He said, ‘Nepotism tha, hai and rehega. (There was nepotism, it is here to stay). Jinke mother-father industry se hai, unke bete aur beti ko role milenge. (Actors, whose parents are from the industry, they might get an easy break). Kal ko mere bete ko shayad role mil jai. (My son might get a role because of his father’s name). Ye hamesha rahega. Par is jung ke beech mein aap kaise nikalte ho, wahi aapki taqat hai. (How you carve your own path amid this battle, that shows your power).’

Sonu added, ‘Having said that, I also feel, if you don’t cast people from outside, you won’t see a different dimension in the film industry. You won’t see the other colours which make this place a holistic one. Industry role deta hai, par kabhi kabhi time lag jata hai talent prove karne me, space banane mein. (Industry does give roles to outsiders, but sometimes it takes a lot of time to prove one’s talent)’

Talking about the boycott trend in Bollywood, Sonu said that people have become more sensitive now.

‘People, who boycott films, whether they have a genuine reason or not, I doubt that. If you boycott a movie without watching it, that’s not fair. Directors and writers who make films, think they are making a ‘Sholay’. Whether the film is upto the mark or not, will be decided only after the movie is seen. So I feel this ban culture should not stop ones from expressing what they want to say,’ the ‘Happy New Year’ actor said.

When asked about stereotyping certain communities in Hindi films, Sonu said, ‘Whether you are an actor, director or writer, you need to be responsible while portraying certain characters on the screen. That era is gone, when you could say, ‘I think like that and I will show that way…’ people are well-informed now. They won’t take any such things that can be questioned.’

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