Aadar Jain: I am Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor's cousin, but that doesn't allow me to get 50 films a year (Exclusive)

Aadar Jain might have the legendary Raj Kapoor as his grandfather and share bloodlines with Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor, but the actor insists his journey has been anything but easy.

With two films, a web series, and years of auditions behind him, Aadar speaks to Bombay Times about why he doesn’t buy into the ‘nepo baby’ narrative, how rejection has shaped him, and why Bobby Deol’s career keeps him going.'Our family is very bindass and chill, different from what people in the media might think'Born into one of Indian cinema’s most illustrious families, one would assume he would be burdened under the pressures of proving his mettle for the legacy. He, however, clarifies, “A lot of people ask me this question.

But I would have been inspired. I have him (points at a photo frame of Raj Kapoor) over here every day to be inspired because he's my favorite actor, producer, director of all time. He's my biggest idol and my biggest inspiration.

There's no pressure. Our family is very bindass and chill, different from what people in the media might think. We all have our own journeys. However big or small, I'm also contributing in my own small little way to Indian civilization.

I love acting.”‘I am Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor's cousin, but that doesn't allow me to get 50 films a year’While the industry often talks about nepotism, however, Aadar sets the record straight that he is not the byproduct of it. “I've had two films that have come out. Unfortunately, the gap has been quite a bit. Everyone has their journey and I'm on that journey. So, I'm just enjoying what I do,” he says. He adds, “I've not taken those gaps out of choice. It's also been very difficult to get films. Coming from a film family doesn't mean you get work here easily.

That's a fact. People talk about nepotism, but I've not got benefits of it. Yes, I am Raj Kapoor's grandson, I am Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor's cousin, but that doesn't allow me to get 50 films a year or like doing five films and signing brand deals and endorsements nonstop. Unfortunately, in that sense I've not been a product of nepotism."'It has been a struggle'The actor doesn’t shy away from speaking about how difficult it’s been to land roles, the heartbreak of rejection, and the resilience required to keep going.

“It’s not been easy,” he admits. “It has been a struggle. I have auditioned for a lot of places. I've been rejected many times. It's hard to deal with those rejections. I love what I do. So, when you're not getting to do what you love as often, of course, it hurts. The idea is to keep picking yourself up and pushing yourself.

Staying motivated is the most important thing in this profession. It's not an easy profession. It’s been a tough journey.

Hopefully, my lady luck will give me lots of luck and love (smiles),” he elaborates.He adds, "I keep looking at Bobby Deol's career. Look at the guy! He spoke on national television about how failure and rejection really bogged him down, but then how he picked himself up. And the idea of life is to keep moving forward."He also adds, "I look at my own journey. I'm proud of myself. However long it's taken. Good, bad, ugly, flops, doesn't matter.

It's all a lesson. The fact that I can even be part of two films and people are watching me and I'm now coming into other things. My first film was very critically acclaimed, but it didn't work at the box office. The second film came out in the time of COVID where it was seen by everyone but was also critically acclaimed.

So, there has been also a big struggle for me to get the work that I want to do. I've been auditioning for the last 8 years, done two films.

Luckily, I have Dining with the Kapoors coming out so hopefully things will pick up once people see my work. Because work gets you work. Until people see your work, you don't get work."'A lot of actors who are getting launched have had three films already'Aadar who has been part of movies like Qaidi Band (2017) and Hello Charlie (2021), confesses he has no regrets about the rejections he has faced. “All the rejections I had in my life, I realized they're all lessons. I have no regrets. Everything is a lesson. Everything teaches you, and eventually you will get okay. It took me a long time to get my third project. A lot of actors nowadays who I see are getting launched—they've had three films already done and they're waiting for those releases, and they're still signing more films and doing it right.

It's taken me a little bit of time," he elaborates.