What was Vishal Jethwa's journey to success in Bollywood?

Vishal Jethwa had a 15-year struggle before his breakthrough in the film Mardaani 2, and he chooses to focus on merit over complaining about nepotism in the industry.

How does Vishal Jethwa view the nepotism debate in Bollywood?

Jethwa acknowledges the presence of nepotism but says he chooses to focus on carving his own path through hard work and merit, finding inspiration in the success of self-made star Shah Rukh Khan.

What was Vishal Jethwa's experience working with star kids like Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor?

Jethwa says the star kids were respectful and professional, though he noticed people around them often treated them differently. However, he never felt insecure and considers them his friends.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Vishal Jethwa's 15-Year Struggle to Stardom: From Mardaani 2 to Homebound

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

10 Oct

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Summary

Vishal Jethwa had 14-15 years of experience before his breakthrough in Mardaani 2
He chooses to focus on merit over complaining about nepotism in Bollywood
Vishal finds inspiration in Shah Rukh Khan's self-made success

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.