Star Daughters Being Labelled Divas: Atleast Let Them Prove Their Worth

The debate of nepotism isn’t new to us, thanks to a certain A-lister who had the guts to call it out from a coveted couch on prime time. And yet, everytime a star kid scores undue privilege or is in news for, well just existing, one wonders how normalised their celebrityhood is. We have even stopped raising eyebrows when kids yet to even debut on silver screen grace covers of magazines which ordinary models can only dream of. When they get bestowed with sparkly titles like divas, heartthrobs, and they are barely out of college. But then look at the following these star daughters and sons have on social media and you’ll realise, it's not just the wombs they are born to which ensures their stardom, it is our collective curiosity too.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

•  Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor are being called “next generation divas.”
• Just what is the claim to fame of these star daughters other than their lineage?
• While celebrityhood comes easy, shouldn't we let star kids prove their mettle before celebrating their success?
• Besides, it does put unnecessary pressure on these children to be successful and live up to the hype.

I am also sure that each one of them would go on to feature on glossy magazine covers, sit on couches eloquently telling the viewers how star kids don’t have it easy and how they have to work hard for success.

A popular Bollywood award show’s Twitter handle recently posted a picture of Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor with the caption, “The next generation of divas is ready to take on the world!” Just what credentials do these young women hold, apart from their celebrity lineage to be called next generation of divas? Pandey has featured in a film, while Khan was on the cover of a fashion magazine some months ago. But even these achievements we unlocked by their lineage and not talent or struggle. And yet, they are being given the status of being divas. I am also sure that each one of them would go on to feature on glossy magazine covers, sit on couches eloquently telling the viewers how star kids don’t have it easy and how they have to work hard for success, sell face wash or deodorants and at least have the next five years set in the spotlight.

The next generation of divas is ready to take on the world! pic.twitter.com/MPebI6h7kp

— IIFA (@IIFA) July 7, 2019

I am not saying star daughters don’t deserve success, but shouldn’t they have to earn it before we begin celebrating their fame? Actors like Alia Bhatt have earned our love despite privileged lineage because they proved their mettle. Among the younger lot, Sara Ali Khan earned so much praise for her candour and showed streaks of potential. In such cases, we join the crowd in calling these young ladies divas, because have taken efforts to earn our attention and love. Remember how ruthless the critics were to Bhatt after her debut in Student of The Year? Even then Bhatt indeed lucky to have gotten chances to prove her talent, which some other newbie may have not. The bottom-line here is that celebrity status comes easy, but we shouldn’t be drawing hasty conclusions from that.

I am not saying star daughters don’t deserve success, but shouldn’t they have to earn it before we begin celebrating their fame? Actors like Alia Bhatt have earned our love despite privileged lineage, because they proved their mettle.

Besides it is unfair to burden these star daughters with so much expectations and scrutiny. It is not easy to be in constant media glare, to have to worry about the paparazzi every time you step out of the house, to dread what photograph of yours will make it to the social media next. Could it be in a bikini? Could it be the one with dark circles under your eyes or cellulite showing on your thighs? To get trolled for wearing shorts to the airport. Which is why we need to go easy on celebrating star daughters. Let them earn their space in the limelight, the title of being divas or whatever fancy words those awards they distribute every year come engraved with.

Picture Credit: Ananya Pandey/ Instagram

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Yamini Pustake Bhalerao is a writer with the SheThePeople team, in the Opinions section. The views expressed are author’s own.