Vishal Jethwa's 15-Year Struggle to Stardom: From Mardaani 2 to Homebound

In October 2025, actor Vishal Jethwa, who is earning critical acclaim for his role in Homebound—India's official Oscar selection this year—opened up about his long road to success in the entertainment industry. Jethwa shared that when he made his film debut in Mardaani 2 in 2019, he had already been working in the industry for 14-15 years, despite the perception of overnight success.

Addressing the ongoing conversation around nepotism in Bollywood, Jethwa acknowledged its presence but chose to focus on carving his own path through merit. He admitted that complaining about nepotism repeatedly feels unproductive, stating, "If I had given up yesterday thinking I'd never get a chance, I wouldn't be here today." Instead, Jethwa found inspiration in the example of Shah Rukh Khan, whom he called a "self-made man" who built his career through hard work and the love of audiences.

Jethwa also discussed his experiences working with star kids like Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, noting that while the people around them often treated them differently, the actors themselves were respectful and professional. "Ishaan and Janhvi have never made me feel less," he explained. "But people around them do give them more attention. It's natural—it happens. Still, I never felt insecure."