A while back, Raveena Tandon and Ranvir Shorey spoke up about the dirty politics prevalent in the film industry. how outsiders are not welcome and award ceremonies are ‘family affairs’.
Now, writer Apurva Asrani, who has moved to Goa with his partner Siddhant Pillai has opened up about the reason he left Mumbai and the toxic environment of Bollywood.
#NewProfilePic #mygirls #KokoButter pic.twitter.com/oDfaggNqe0
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) May 27, 2020
According to DNA India, he said while other celebrities are expressing mourning Sushant after his demise, actor Manoj Bajpayee stood by him when it mattered. He also recalled when Manoj was there for him personally.
Many have woken up to feel bad for #SushantSingh after he took his life, but very few spoke for him during his struggle. And the more successful he got, the more he was boycotted, maligned. Thankgod for gracious men like @BajpayeeManoj who spoke for him when it mattered. https://t.co/LOJN8JSze9
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) June 17, 2020
This is the same @BajpayeeManoj who stood by me when in 2017, I was discredited from my work, slandered in the press & suffered a complete breakdown. I have no ill will today, but must point out that I suffered at the hands of 'outsiders', not nepotism. This system is messed up.
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) June 17, 2020
Hindustan Times quoted him adding, “There are many talented filmmakers & actors who are not getting their due, because a nexus between the powerful & the press exists. If you are someone who dares to be outspoken, if you don’t suck up, then your achievements will be ignored; in film reviews, at award ceremonies..”
There are many talented filmmakers & actors who are not getting their due, because a nexus between the powerful & the press exists. If you are someone who dares to be outspoken, if you don't suck up, then your achievements will be ignored. In film reviews, at award ceremonies..
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) June 17, 2020
Many talented people give up the struggle, which is why mediocrity prevails. The ones that feel too much, & this should be an asset in the arts, either become sick or take their own lives. Others, like me, move away. Some continue to do selective work, others start farms/hotels.
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) June 17, 2020
He says that the system is vindictive to those who are blunt. He reiterates this by revealing how a journalist sought to pull him down when faced with rejection.
This is a system that becomes vindictive if you call a spade a spade. If you didn't like one of their films, they wont work with you again. If you reject a script written by a film critic, they can go from loving your work, to hating it overnight.
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) June 17, 2020
I once resisted the romantic overtures of a journalist & he has pulled all stops to bring me down since. The environment is toxic. The powerful feed on the passionate, the mediocre destroy the brilliant. By calling this nepotism, you are ignoring the elephant in the room.
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) June 17, 2020
Do you agree with Apurva that it isn’t nepotism but a larger messed up system that is plaguing Bollywood and driving away talent?