Pooja Bhatt Reminds Kangana Ranaut That The Bhatt Banner Launched Her: Now The Same People Play The Nepotism Card?
Pooja Bhatt Talks About Her Family Being Accused Of Nepotism
Updated : July 08, 2020 03:52 PM ISTActor Pooja Bhatt on Wednesday said her home banner Vishesh Films, under father Mahesh and uncle Mukesh Bhatt, has done far more than the combined efforts of Bollywood in launching new talent across the board in the film industry.
The actor's comments came as a response to the nepotism debate that has intensified after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.
Her family has been at the receiving end of the divided social media discourse, with both her filmmaker father and her half-sister, actor Alia Bhatt being criticised for riding on the privileges of an insider.
Taking to Twitter, Pooja Bhatt said it was funny how family production house, which launched one of the famous outsiders Kangana Ranaut in Anurag Basu's 2006 "Gangster", is now being dragged into the debate.
"Have been asked to comment on the hot topic Nepotism that people are raging about. As someone who hails from a 'family' that has launched more new talent - actors, musicians and technicians than the entire film industry combined, I can only laugh. Facts don't find takers. Fiction does," the actor-filmmaker wrote.
undefined src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" >Have been asked to comment on the hot topic Nepotism that people are raging about. As someone who hails from a ‘family’ that has launched more new talent-actors,musicians & technicians,than the entire film industry combined I can only laugh.Facts don’t find takers. Fiction does.
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) July 8, 2020
Pooja Bhatt, 48, said her family always tries to scout new talent so much so that the banner was "accused" of harbouring bias against established names.
"There was a time when the Bhatts were accused of having something against established actors and made to feel inferior for only working with/launching newcomers and not chasing stars.
undefined src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" >There was a time when the Bhatt’s were accused of having something against established actors & made to feel inferior for only working with/launching newcomers & not chasing stars. And now the same people play the nepotism card? Google & tweet guys & won’t even say think & speak.
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) July 8, 2020
"And now the same people play the nepotism card? Google and tweet guys and won't even say think and speak," she said.
Citing the example of Ranaut, who in 2017 famously called filmmaker Karan Johar 'the flagbearer of nepotism' on his chat show, Pooja Bhatt said Basu may have "discovered" the National Award winner "but Vishesh Films backed his vision" and invested in the film".
undefined src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" >As for Kangana Ranaut-She is a great talent,if not she wouldn’t have been launched by Vishesh films in “Gangster”.Yes Anurag Basu discovered her,but Vishesh Films backed his vision & invested in the film. No small feat. Here’s wishing her the very best in all her endeavours.
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) July 8, 2020
Basu has previously directed "Saaya" (2003) and "Murder" (2004) for the banner.
Pooja Bhatt, who will next be seen in the Mahesh Bhatt-directed "Sadak 2", said the upcoming film gave a new music composer, Suniljeet, a chance to board the project after her father heard his tunes.
"Even #Sadak2 gives birth to a brand new talent in the form of @Suniljeet72. A music teacher from Chandigarh who came to our office with no prior appointment, a dream, a harmonium & a brilliant song called 'Ishq Kamaal' that was absorbed into the film on first hearing by my father," she further argued.
undefined src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" >Even #Sadak2 gives birth to a brand new talent in the form of @Suniljeet72 A music teacher from Chandigarh who came to our office with no prior appointment,a dream,a harmonium & a brilliant song called ‘Ishq Kamaal’ that was absorbed into the film on first hearing by my father.
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) July 8, 2020
"Sadak 2", a sequel to her 1991 film directed by Mahesh Bhatt, also features returning cast member Sanjay Dutt, and new entrants Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur.
undefined src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" >Toh yeh ‘Nepotism’ shabd se kissi aur Ko zalil karne ki koshish karo doston. The people who have found their way into the movies through the springboard we provided over the decades know what we stand for. And if they have forgotten,It’s their tragedy. Not ours.Have a great day!
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) July 8, 2020
Pooja Bhatt said nepotism can't be used to malign her family.
"The people who have found their way into the movies through the springboard we provided over the decades know what we stand for. And if they have forgotten, it's their tragedy. Not ours," she added.
undefined src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" >I said “And if they have forgotten then it is their tragedy. Not ours”. Kindly note the usage of the word ‘If’. Please ‘report’ and desist from interpreting or rather misinterpreting someone’s comment your own way. ? (tweet attached for reference) https://t.co/Vg8JAGxs0w pic.twitter.com/KCCtU6fkCS
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) July 8, 2020
The actor has also featured in her father's films including "Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi", "Daddy", "Zakhm" and "Tamanna".
Pooja Bhatt has directed 2007 film "Dhokha" for her home banner.