‘I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son’: Junaid Khan owns the nepotism label

Actor Junaid Khan recently appeared on journalist and film trade analyst Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube channel, where he spoke without hesitation about what it means to be Aamir Khan’s son in the Hindi film industry. The conversation covered his views on nepotism and the realities of how producers make casting decisions.

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‘The word nepotism doesn’t irritate me because it’s true’

When the subject of nepotism came up, Junaid did not deflect. He stated plainly: “The word ‘nepotism’ doesn’t irritate me because it’s true. I get a lot of work because I’m Aamir Khan’s son.”

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The admission is notable in an industry where star kids frequently face pressure to present their careers as the product of individual effort alone. Junaid has accepted the term and acknowledged where his opportunities come from.

He was also briefly asked about his personal life, to which he responded with humour: “Sir, abhi 2 flops ke baad kaam mil raha hai, kaam karne dijiye na.” (Sir, even after two flops, I’m getting work. Let me work first!)

The real problem is not insiders vs. outsiders

While Junaid was open about his own advantages, he steered the discussion toward a broader point about how the casting process works in Bollywood. He explained that producers do not always select actors based on who is most suitable for a role, they select based on who can sell a film.

He said: “Producers have to sell their films, therefore, they will hire someone they can sell. Their priority is what they can sell, not what is best for the film. They are not looking at which actor suits the character best, but rather which actor can be marketed more easily.”

He said: “For me, it’s not an insider versus outsider debate. It’s about not casting someone just because you can sell them. Cast someone who is right for the film.”

Where Junaid stands in his career

Junaid Khan made his on-screen debut with the Netflix period drama ‘Maharaj’ in 2024, where he played reformist journalist Karsandas Mulji. His first theatrical release, romantic comedy ‘Loveyapa’ (2025), co-starring Khushi Kapoor, failed commercially. His second theatrical film, ‘Ek Din’ (2026), opposite Sai Pallavi, also did not perform well at the box office.