12th June 2023,Mumbai: In response to the escalating controversy surrounding nepotism, Avika Gor, a popular actress known for her roles in both Bollywood and regional cinema, has shed light on the audience’s bias in favor of the South Asian film industry. The debate between the South Indian film industry and Bollywood has gained momentum since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Gor’s remarks have sparked further discussions on the topic.
Gor gained overnight fame through her television program, Balika Vadhu, and subsequently made appearances in several Bollywood films despite her young age. However, it was her lead acting debut In the Telugu movie Uyyala Jampala in 2013 that propelled her into the regional cinema limelight. Over the years, she has also showcased her talent in Kannada films and is now set to make her lead debut in Hindi with the film “1920 Horrors Of The Heart.”
During an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Gor highlighted the pointless publicity surrounding the criticism of nepotism in Bollywood and drew attention to the same problem in the South Indian film industry. Addressing the issue of nepotism, she expressed, “The phrase that we are all sick of hearing… Nepotism is the norm in the South. Therefore, things remain unchanged simply because viewers abroad do not choose to view it in the same manner as they do here. What a prejudice creator I am! This bias has been created for Hindi films, Bollywood films, and whatever we create is judged beforehand.”
Gor further emphasized that bias has existed throughout time and that the prevalence of South Indian film remakes led to speculation that they were merely copies. She believes that bias is the primary issue in the nepotism debate.
According to the actress, the hype surrounding the nepotism debate needs to subside quickly, as it has been blown out of proportion. She pointed out that nepotism is clearly visible in the Telugu film industry, and it is surprising how some people choose not to notice it. Gor suggests that the topic has been overly hyped and hopes that social media users will eventually be able to relax and move on from it.
In conclusion, Avika Gor’s observations have brought attention to the audience bias in favor of the South Asian film industry amidst the ongoing nepotism controversy. By highlighting the prevalence of nepotism not only in Bollywood but also in regional cinema, she urges for a reduction in the exaggerated attention given to the issue and encourages a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by the industry.