“Learn Acting First,” Says Veteran Actor Lalit Parimoo; Offers Blunt Advice to Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday

Veteran actor Lalit Parimoo has weighed in on the ongoing debate around star kids in Bollywood, saying that young actors from prominent film families should spend time learning the craft of acting before expecting long-term success. In a recent podcast conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Parimoo was asked what advice he would give to actors such as Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor, who are often criticized for their performances. He responded bluntly that they should focus on training and improving their acting skills.

Parimoo said that aspiring actors should “learn acting” and dedicate two to three years to studying the craft with humility. He suggested that the hunger to learn often comes from hardship and financial struggle, and may be weaker when someone comes from a wealthy or powerful family. According to him, acting cannot be treated as a business from day one because it is ultimately an art form that requires patience, discipline and development.

The actor also noted that while social media presence, fashion choices and physical appearance can help someone remain visible in the spotlight, these factors cannot replace genuine artistic growth. He added that he has not closely followed the work of many younger actors and still prefers watching classic Hindi films featuring legendary stars such as Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna.

Speaking about the online trolling faced by his Munna Bhai co-star Arjun Kapoor, Parimoo said that actors from influential families are fortunate to have opportunities in the industry, but that criticism of their talent should be handled fairly. He argued that it would be wrong to claim that they cannot act at all, because acting improves through practice, experience and time. He pointed to examples such as Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan, saying both actors faced similar scrutiny earlier in their careers and eventually improved.

The discussion comes amid continued public debate over nepotism, talent and opportunity in Bollywood. Janhvi Kapoor made her debut with Dhadak in 2018, while Ananya Panday entered the industry in 2019 with Student of the Year 2. Both have faced criticism for their performances over the years, though Ananya has also received praise for projects like CTRL and Call Me Bae. Shanaya Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan have similarly been subject to online scrutiny over their acting abilities.

Janhvi was recently seen in Peddi, while Ananya appeared in Chand Mera Dil. Parimoo’s comments add another voice to the larger conversation about whether star kids receive too many chances in Bollywood or whether they are being judged too harshly while still learning their craft.