Star Kids Have It Easier but Expectations Don’t Cancel Privilege, Shanaya Kapoor & Adarsh Gourav ‘Agree to Disagree’ (EXCLUSIVE)

In a world where social media highlights every move, the debate around star kids and their privileges is more nuanced than ever. In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, actors Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav diverge sharply on whether star kids really have it easier! “I disagree,” remarks Adarsh, adding, “I think there is the privilege and the expectation doesn't cancel the privilege.” 

Related Stories

Social Media Influences Casting? Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor ‘Agree to Disagree’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Shanaya sheds light on the reality of being born into opportunity and states, “I think that when you do come from a certain background, the access is much easier because you have access to certain people you can meet. So your first step into the door is made easier and that in itself is very, very difficult. So I do agree to that. But I don't feel like because of the expectations the privilege gets cancelled. You are privileged! I can speak for myself, I am privileged and I do have it easier but it's my responsibility to be aware of the fact that the opportunities do come easier so I shouldn't take advantage of it, shouldn't misuse it.”

Adarsh, while acknowledging privilege, further quotes, “However, I do empathize with the intense scrutiny that comes with your (pointing at Shanaya) background and I empathize with the amount of mental pressure that people go through while they're dealing with the situation because I look at them as human beings first and not as people who come from privilege or don't come from privilege. And so the human side of me empathizes with them because especially with the internet everybody is under intense scrutiny, not just our kids, even somebody like me. We are all afraid of making any mistake publicly because we know that we are all under intense scrutiny, so my heart goes out to anybody who gets a lot of hate or negative interaction online. But I also feel like the privilege doesn't cancel out the expectation.”

For Shanaya, privilege comes with a responsibility; work harder, respect opportunities, and earn the audience's acceptance. “I don't think that because of the expectations it (privilege) gets cancelled out. Those expectations should be there for all the actors out there and you should listen to your audience and if they expect more out of you, you should give that and give your 200‑300%. You shouldn't burden yourself. You should take it on your shoulders to work even harder to put in double or triple the amount of work and hopefully earn your place in the industry because at the end of it what matters is that the audience has to accept you no matter where you come from. I think at the end of it they will choose you. You may get maybe your first opportunity or the first film but then at the end of it if you're not good at what you do, if they don't connect to you then I don't think that then at the end of it matters,” she concludes.