Completing 25 years in Bollywood, Tusshar Kapoor has candidly reflected on the expectations and pressures that came with being veteran actor Jeetendra‘s son. While discussing his journey in a recent interview, the actor admitted that growing up in a film family brought its own challenges, adding that star kids often face a different kind of scrutiny despite public perception. The ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ actor also spoke about the success of the Ahmed Khan directorial multi-starrer’s success, his anxiety about standing out in ensemble films, and why he has always preferred letting his work speak louder than his public image.
Tusshar Kapoor on the success of ‘Welcome To The Jungle’
Reacting to the audience response to Ahmed Khan’s ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, Tusshar described the reception as both overwhelming and rewarding.Speaking to Mid-day, he said, “It’s really overwhelming but very gratifying. People are loving the characters, and they’re going again and again to watch it. It’s spreading like wildfire.”Reflecting on sharing screen space with a massive cast of 34 actors, Tusshar said the experience felt more like a reunion than work.The actor, who has been part of blockbuster ensemble franchises including ‘Golmaal’, ‘Dhamaal’ and ‘Welcome’, admitted that working alongside several stars naturally comes with expectations.“You don’t fear getting overshadowed. But you do have anxiety about standing out. You want to be noticed and get your due,” he told the publication.
Tusshar Kapoor reflects on 25 years in Bollywood
Looking back on his silver jubilee in the film industry, Tusshar described his career as a journey filled with valuable lessons. Kapoor admitted that he misses the way films were experienced during the early years of his career.During the same interview, Kapoor said, “What I miss about that era is that you lived the entire process of releasing a film. Whether it was a success or a failure, you got to experience the journey and see it through properly.”The actor also revealed that watching his father Jeetendra navigate both success and setbacks prepared him for the unpredictable nature of the film business, “I’ve seen my father’s journey go up and down and up and down. So I don’t get very carried away with success, and neither do I get dejected when there’s a lull because I know that’s part of this profession,” he shared, adding that although he remains “anxious” and “an overthinker,” he has learned to stay grounded.‘There is a baggage’: Tusshar Kapoor on being a star kidTusshar spoke openly about the expectations attached to being born into a film family.Kapoor said, “There is an expectation. There is a baggage. There is a lot of unsolicited advice that comes your way — that because you are from a film family, you have to be a certain way.”Calling himself an introvert, Tusshar explained that he never fit the stereotypical image associated with a star son.“I’m very unlike what one would expect a star son to be like. I just focused on work. What I do in my personal life, how I am in my personal life, should not be anybody’s business. It was hard, but I had to block that noise out. Over the years, I’ve learned that,” he said.Recalling some of the unusual advice he received early in his career, Tusshar revealed that he was often encouraged to maintain a public image beyond his acting work.Kapoor said, “I was told, ‘You’ve got to be acting when you’re not acting also.’ But I couldn’t deal with it. I used to ignore it and just focus on my work.”He also pointed out that the conversation around insiders versus outsiders often overlooks the pressures faced by actors from film families.“They say outsiders are pressured a lot. But even as an insider, I was told you’ve got to be a certain way, go to parties, be in the news. So this pressure is for us too,” he added.
Tusshar Kapoor on being grateful for the ‘Golmaal’ franchise
The actor also looked back fondly at the Golmaal franchise, which he has previously described as the “lifeline” of his career. Tusshar credited director Rohit Shetty for believing in him and allowing him to shape his unique character across the films. He also expressed excitement about returning for the upcoming fifth instalment of the comedy franchise and reuniting with the team.
More about Tusshar Kapoor’s work
Tusshar Kapoor made his acting debut with ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai’ in 2001 and has since appeared in films such as ‘Khakee’, ‘Kyaa Kool Hai Hum’, ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’, ‘Golmaal’, ‘Golmaal Returns’, ‘Golmaal 3’, ‘Golmaal Again’ and the ‘Dhamaal’ franchise. Most recently, he was seen in Welcome To The Jungle, alongside Akshay Kumar and a large ensemble cast. He is also set to return in ‘Golmaal 5’, one of the most anticipated comedy sequels currently in development.
