Shah Rukh Khan Dismisses Insider-Outsider Debate in Film Industry

Mumbai, 2nd May 2025: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday expressed his disapproval of the ongoing insider-outsider debate in the Indian film industry, stating that personal effort, not background, defines success.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Journey from Outsider to Ruler,” hosted by producer-director Karan Johar, Khan was joined by actress Deepika Padukone to discuss their experiences in the film industry. The actor, who rose to stardom without any film lineage, indirectly addressed the topic of nepotism, which has been at the center of industry discourse in recent years.

“I don’t agree with the debate between insiders and outsiders in any field,” Khan said. “Labels don’t matter. What counts is how determined and hardworking you are. No one is sitting around worrying about you—your success depends on your effort.”

Sharing his personal journey, Khan recalled his early days in Mumbai. “I came into this industry believing it was mine. And the people here welcomed me with open arms,” he said, emphasizing that self-belief and dedication are key to making a mark.

Deepika Padukone shared similar sentiments. Recalling her move to Mumbai at 18, she said, “It was a big step. But one learns by constantly working and never giving up, even in failure.” She added that despite her success, her family keeps her grounded, and her focus is now largely on raising her daughter, Dua.

The panel also touched on the need for better film infrastructure. Padukone stressed the importance of building more cinema halls in small towns and rural areas to make films accessible and affordable for wider audiences.