When Saif Ali Khan supported filmmakers for using famous children in their films: So they are making a genetic bet

Actor Saif Ali Khan sparked controversy in 2018 when he backed producers who use star kids in their productions.

Everyone remembers actor Saif Ali Khan's controversial "eugenics" remarks wherein he was seen backing movie producers who cast celebrity children in their productions. In an interview from 2018, he acknowledged that most people misunderstood what he had stated and made it clear that he was referring to a "genetic bet."

In an interview with NDTV, Saif stated that the discussion may go "forever" and clarified exactly what he meant by his open letter. Saif added, “Most people don’t understand what I kind of said. I’ll say it again. I’m saying that film producers who take a bet on star children are making some sort of bet that this kid will know what his dad knew. When you think of Amitabh Bachchan’s son or Dharmendra’s son, you’re thinking maybe history will repeat itself. So they are making a genetic bet. That’s what I am thinking, rather than just making a bet on just talent.”

While Saif acknowledged that genes may occasionally be handed down, there are also situations when a kid lacks a parent's abilities. He continued by using himself as an example of why he was unable to play cricket like his father, Tiger Pataudi. Saif also mentioned, “They are assuming the son will have the talent. And sometimes, genes pass on and sometimes, they don’t. Tiger Pataudi’s father was an amazing cricketer, Tiger Pataudi was a better cricketer. Genetic brilliance. Then I came along and I couldn’t play cricket like that, so I don’t know how to explain these things.”

Following receiving backlash for his 'nepotism rocks' statement at IIFA 2017, Saif wrote an open letter for DNA suggesting that genetics or to be 'well born' have a part in the nepotism discussion. He argued that simply because the film business is a "democracy" and therefore the most balanced place to work, nepotism cannot exist there. He had written “So yes, maybe I got a chance because of my mother (veteran actor Sharmila Tagore), but that is more genetics than nepotism. It’s a genetic investment that the producer was making.”

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