Nepotism rocks? Saif Ali Khan and Kangana Ranaut disagree but at least have a civil debate

The couch on Koffee with Karan has the gift of creating controversy. So when the Queen and the Nawab sat their svelte selves on it, it was a foregone conclusion that sparks would fly. What was a surprise was the direction in which they flew – towards the show’s host. With a killer smile on her face Kangana Ranaut lay into Karan Johar for being the stereotypical Bollywood biggie, intolerant to outsiders, flag bearer of nepotism. Months on, the fire got restoked at an awards show where Saif Ali Khan, Varun Dhawan and Karan joked – perhaps a tad uneasily – about being there because of their mummy or papa. Now both the Queen and the Nawab have written on nepotism – in more than 140 characters.

Their essays are a well-lettered reminder of the art of debate, where differences of opinion are addressed by presenting one’s case rationally, not trolling or flaming or cyberbullying. Saif makes the intriguing claim that if he got a break because of his mother, it was less nepotism and more genetics. To which Kangana’s dramatic rebuttal is that if it all came down to genetic inheritance, she would be a farmer back in Himachal Pradesh.

Saif also claims that nepotism in the movie industry is far less rampant than in politics and business. And this nepotism is ultimately tempered by democracy, or people power (although folks in politics or business would argue the same). That’s how guys and girls like SRK and Sridevi from non-filmi backgrounds rise to the top, while many star kids bite the dust. In this Saif may be right. But in still refusing to make peace with nepotism Kangana is pursuing a fairer world. Without this gutsy chasing of aspirations, she would not be Queen today.