Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha, who first stepped into the film industry with her lead role in Jai Santoshi Maa, has candidly spoken about the challenges that artists from non-film backgrounds continue to face, even after gaining some success. Over the years, Nushrratt carved her space in the Hindi film world with popular movies like Pyaar Ka Punchnama and the blockbuster hit Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Despite these accomplishments, the actress admits that finding substantial roles and new opportunities hasn’t been easy.
In a recent conversation with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Nushrratt shed light on the uphill battle that many aspiring actors — especially those without any industry connections — endure throughout their careers. She explained that although she has proved her acting potential through several commercially successful projects, she still finds it difficult to access casting opportunities that seem more readily available to others.
Drawing comparisons, the actress mentioned names like Sonakshi Sinha and Shraddha Kapoor, both of whom hail from well-established film families. Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, made her debut with the 2010 film Dabangg opposite superstar Salman Khan — a project that became an instant hit and established her in the industry overnight. Similarly, Shraddha Kapoor, the daughter of seasoned actor Shakti Kapoor, started her career with Teen Patti. While her debut did not fare well at the box office, Shraddha still managed to climb the ladder of success in Bollywood, thanks in part to her subsequent roles and strong network.
Nushrratt pointed out that this is where the difference lies — not in talent or hard work, but in access and awareness. “They definitely enjoy an upper hand,” she admitted. “When you belong to a family with roots in the film world, you already have the right connections. You know the key people or at the very least, your parents do. So they reach doors I can’t even find,” she explained.
She further highlighted a reality that often goes unnoticed: “For someone like me, even if I want to meet a director or approach someone for a role, the first question is — who will give me their number? Where would I even begin to look for their contact or address? This might sound like a simple issue, but it is an enormous barrier for people like me.”
Her honest words shine a light on the silent yet significant obstacles outsiders face, especially in an industry where relationships and connections often weigh as much — if not more — than talent and experience. Through her statement, Nushrratt adds her voice to the ongoing conversation around nepotism and the structural challenges within Bollywood that continue to impact many aspiring artists trying to make their mark.
