It’s always easier for insiders to get a break in the industry, agrees Sandeepa Dhar. And the actor, much like many others, feels that this is a major disadvantage that outsiders face in showbiz. “Having contacts always helps. If my father knows Karan Johar, he’ll call and request to let me audition for a film. And if I perform well, I get the part. But most outsiders wouldn’t have access to that audition, even if they are talented. But that doesn’t mean you would hold that against those born in a film family,” she says, adding that nepotism is in every industry.

Dhar adds that this access doesn’t guarantee success, as many insiders have failed to make it even after getting an easy entry. “One needs to sustain in the industry, and that requires talent and hard work. It isn’t guaranteed by anyone’s family lineage. Everyone needs to hustle it out, be it an insider or an outsider,” adds the actor, who has been a part of films such as Dabangg 2 (2012) and Heropanti (2014). She cites examples from the industry, highlighting many outsiders who have done well. “You have Ayushmann Khurrana, Kartik Aaryan, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone… who’re outsiders and are extremely successful. I don’t understand what’s this debate about. If there are so many who aren’t from the industry but are at the top, it only goes on to show that honest effort doesn’t go waste,” she shares.

The actor, 31, adds that such things happen in every profession. “If you’re in the industry you’ve to be okay with it... Nothing can stop talent from shining. It also matters as to how you look at success. Would you like to grow as an artiste or the idea is to make money and being number one? For me, growth as an individual and artiste are important; the rest will fall in place, I have that faith,” she says.