Who knew that a joke, which many have criticised was in poor taste, would spark a series of celebrity apologies, explanations and ‘open letters’?
Kangana Ranaut, who has been at the centre of this proverbial storm, has finally broken her silence and took the issue head-on in an open letter of her own — one that also served as a direct rebuttal to the letter penned by fellow actor Saif Ali Khan; the latter actor’s written explanation in Indian daily DNA imparted an inexplicable lesson in how eugenics and genetics play a role in this growing nepotism debate.
Khan also made it clear in his letter that he had tendered an apology to Ranaut following the International Indian Film Academy awards debacle where he mocked the actress on stage along with actor Varun Dhawan and producer-director Karan Johar; he further added “this issue was over.”
Ranaut thought otherwise, quoting Khan, as she wrote in the Indian daily Mid-day in response: “Saif, in your letter you mentioned that, ‘I apologised to Kangana, and I don’t owe anyone any explanation, and this issue is over’. But this is not my issue alone.”
Although, the award-winning actress stated she welcomed this “exasperating, but healthy” debate and requested people to accept her letter as a “healthy exchange of ideas, and not a clash between individuals”, she also admitted she was disturbed by some perspectives on the subject, including the one written by Khan.
Ranaut went on to write: “The last time I was deeply pained and upset about this issue was when Mr Karan Johar wrote a blog on it, and even once declared in an interview that there are many criteria for excelling in film business. Talent is not one of them.
“I don’t know if he was being misinformed, or simply naive, but to discredit the likes of Mr Dilip Kumar, Mr K Asif, Mr Bimal Roy, Mr Satyajit Ray, Mr Guru Dutt, and many more… is absolutely bizarre.”
Taking the issue head-on, Ranuat went on to counter Khan saying: “In another part of your letter, you [Khan] talked about the relationship between genetics and star kids, where you emphasised on nepotism being an investment on tried and tested genes. I have spent a significant part of my life studying genetics. But, I fail to understand how you can compare genetically hybrid racehorses to artistes!...If your point was true, I would be a farmer back home.”
Ranaut also combatted Khan’s eugenics argument, saying: “You also spoke of eugenics — which means controlled breeding of the human race. So far, I believe that the human race hasn’t found the DNA that can pass on greatness and excellence.”
In his letter, Khan held the media accountable stating the public’s interest in celebrities’ children is one of the reasons for nepotism to exist in Bollywood. He wrote: “The real ‘flag-bearer of nepotism’ [the term Ranaut used to describe for Johar on his chat show Koffee With Karan], I’d say is the media. They photograph them [star kids] and hype them up to be the next big thing and the child has no choice.”
To this Ranaut replied: “You [Khan] also said that the media is to be blamed, since it is the real flag-bearer of nepotism. You are absolutely right — there is a lot of excitement and admiration for the lives of the rich and famous.
“[However] I think the privileged are the least to be blamed in this debate, since they are part of the system, which is set around chain reactions.”
In conclusion, Ranaut stated that those who think nepotism works for them can make peace with this debate, adding: “In my opinion, that is an extremely pessimistic attitude for a third world country… The world is not an ideal place, and it might never be. That is why we have the industry of arts. In a way, we are the flag-bearers of hope.”
Ranaut and Khan worked together in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Rangoon, which released in February. It was during the film’s promotional visit on Koffee With Karan’ that Johar was put on the spot when Ranaut labelled the director as the flag-bearer of nepotism.
