Imtiaz Ali Defends Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Says ‘Outsiders Have It Easier’

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has offered a different perspective on Bollywood’s long-running nepotism debate, arguing that actors born into film families often face greater pressure than outsiders. Speaking about Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Ali said that while industry insiders may have easier access to opportunities, they also carry the burden of living up to the success of their families.

In a conversation with Zoom, the director said actors from film backgrounds are constantly measured against accomplished parents and relatives.

“I feel that Alia, Ranbir and many other actors and people of the film industry who have been born in the film industry go through an added toughness because they’ve got examples of success right around them. They have to compete with their own fathers, uncles and mothers to call themselves, in their own minds, successful. People coming from outside have it easier like me,” he said.

Ali’s remarks stand in contrast to the widely held view that outsiders face greater challenges breaking into the Hindi film industry. He suggested that public perception and constant comparisons create their own set of difficulties for actors from established film families.

‘They Have to Earn It Even More’

The filmmaker also defended the achievements of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, both of whom have frequently been at the centre of discussions around nepotism.

“Ranbir is an actor today in the film industry; there is no doubt. You can call him a nepo child, but actually, those doubts are dispelled because he’s so fantastic,” Ali said.

Praising Alia Bhatt, he added, “Alia Bhatt is so fantastic that you will not grudge the fact that she got the role; you would want her to get more roles. It’s like that, but one has to earn that. People who are born into the film industry have to earn it even more.”

Ali has shared successful creative collaborations with both actors. He directed Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar and Tamasha, while Alia Bhatt delivered one of her most acclaimed performances in Highway. Though Rockstar and Tamasha were not major box-office successes upon release, both films later gained a strong following among audiences.

Reflecting on ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’

Ali also spoke candidly about one of the disappointments of his filmmaking career. During an appearance on Samdish Bhatia’s podcast Unfiltered by Samdish, he revisited Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma starrer Jab Harry Met Sejal.

The director rated the film three out of ten and described it as a missed opportunity.

“I feel it was an opportunity lost, because of the potential of the story. I should have dealt with it in a different way,” he said, adding that he liked the potential of the story more than its final execution.

Upcoming Projects

Ali is preparing for the release of Main Vaapas Aaunga, a romantic drama starring Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari and Naseeruddin Shah. The film explores themes of love, longing and belonging against the backdrop of Partition-era migration and is scheduled to release in theatres on June 12.

Ranbir Kapoor is set to headline Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, where he will portray Lord Rama. The first part of the two-film epic is scheduled for release during Diwali 2026.

Alia Bhatt will next be seen in Alpha, directed by Shiv Rawail. The film, which also stars Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor and Sharvari, is scheduled to release on July 3.