Actor Mohnish Bahl’s daughter, Pranutan, started her Bollywood career with Notebook (2019), produced by Salman Khan. And considering that Bahl and Khan have known each-other for a long time, since Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) days, it was assumed that this friendship paved way for Pranutan too.

Bahl, 59, however, refutes this notion and says, “She has got everything on her own. Salman wasn’t even aware that auditions were going on. In fact, he called me when it was final and asked ‘Mohni, are you sure you’re good with it? I thought she’d be a lawyer or something’.”

Asserting that such discussions are ‘bound to happen’, he adds, “Nepotism has unfortunately been extended to star kids. A more appropriate usage would be that star kids are more privileged. But at the same time, Pranutan is still struggling. She managed her second film Helmet, which is yet to get a theatrical release.”

The actor admits that he isn’t bothered by what people say, as he knows the ‘facts’ and feels Pranutan is becoming a ‘stronger human being’. As of stars helping their kids, he notes, “If as a producer, I like to invest in my friend’s kid, that’s my call. I’m not holding a government position, where I’m selecting the best candidate, then I’d give preference to somebody, that’d be nepotism.”