Entertainment
‘I was told to attend parties and stay in the news’: Tusshar Kapoor opens up about the hidden pressure of being Jeetendra’s son
As Tusshar Kapoor celebrates 25 years in Bollywood, the actor reflects on star-kid expectations, career anxiety, and why he chose to let his work speak louder than public appearances.
Actor Tusshar Kapoor is celebrating 25 years in the Hindi film industry, a journey that has seen its share of successes, setbacks and memorable performances. Fresh from the positive response to Welcome To The Jungle, the actor has spoken candidly about his career, the pressure of being a star kid, and the expectations that came with being the son of veteran actor Jeetendra.
Looking back, Tusshar admitted that while being born into a film family opened doors, it also came with its own challenges and constant scrutiny.
‘I was told to attend parties and be in the news’
Speaking about the pressures of being a celebrity child, Tusshar Kapoor revealed that he often received unsolicited advice on how a “star son” should behave.“There is an expectation. There is a baggage. There is a lot of unsolicited advice that comes your way,” he shared.
The actor disclosed that people encouraged him to maintain a glamorous public image by regularly attending parties, making social appearances and staying in the headlines.“I was told you’ve got to go to parties, be in the news. So this pressure is for us too,” he said.
Tusshar added that although outsiders are often believed to face the toughest challenges in Bollywood, insiders also deal with a different kind of pressure to meet industry expectations.
Choosing work over image
Describing himself as an introvert, Tusshar said he never felt comfortable trying to fit the stereotypical image of a Bollywood star kid.
Instead of chasing publicity, he decided to focus on improving his craft.“I’m very unlike what one would expect a star son to be like. I just focused on work. What I do in my personal life should not be anybody’s business,” he explained.
He also recalled receiving unusual advice early in his career, including being told to “act” even when the cameras were not rolling.
However, Tusshar said he chose to ignore such suggestions because he believed that an actor is ultimately judged by what appears on screen.
Anxiety about standing out in ensemble films
Tusshar’s latest release, Welcome To The Jungle, features a massive ensemble cast led by Akshay Kumar and several popular Bollywood actors.
While the film has received an enthusiastic response from audiences, Tusshar admitted that working alongside so many performers naturally brings some anxiety.
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According to the actor, the concern is not about being overshadowed but about ensuring that audiences remember his performance.“You don’t fear getting overshadowed. But you do have anxiety about standing out. You want to be noticed and get your due,” he said.
Lessons learned from Jeetendra’s career
Tusshar credited his father, Jeetendra, for teaching him how to handle the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry.
Watching his father’s career experience both highs and lows helped him understand that success in Bollywood is never permanent.

As a result, Tusshar said he has learned not to become overly excited during successful phases or discouraged during quieter periods, even though he describes himself as someone who tends to overthink.
Looking ahead to Golmaal 5
Tusshar also expressed gratitude for the Golmaal franchise, calling it one of the defining chapters of his career.
He thanked filmmaker Rohit Shetty for believing in him and giving him the freedom to develop his unique character in the series.
The actor is now looking forward to returning for Golmaal 5, where he will once again reunite with the beloved cast that has entertained audiences for years.
After completing a quarter-century in Bollywood, Tusshar Kapoor says he remains focused on meaningful work rather than chasing headlines—proving that longevity in the film industry is built on consistency, not just celebrity status.
