“They Put Work Ahead of Their Surnames”: Abhay Verma Defends Star Kids Amidst Growing Professional Bond

Rising Bollywood star Abhay Verma, currently riding high on the success of his recent projects, has opened up about the camaraderie he shares with some of the industry’s most talked-about newcomers. In a recent interaction, the Munjya actor dismissed prevailing myths surrounding the work ethic of “star kids,” praising his frequent collaborators Suhana Khan, Shanaya Kapoor, and Rasha Thadani for their professional dedication.

Breaking the Stigma

As he prepares for a busy slate of releases, including King alongside Suhana Khan, Jacob Cardoso with Shanaya Kapoor, and Laikey Laikaa featuring Rasha Thadani, Verma emphasized that his experience working with these young actors has been nothing short of inspiring.

“I don’t think there was a myth that I had in my mind about them,” Verma told News18. “I enjoyed working with actors like Suhana, Rasha, and Shanaya, who come from a film background. They all come from a different space compared to me, but we all truly believe in each other’s dreams.”

The actor was particularly vocal about the misconceptions often associated with those born into film families. He noted that, contrary to public perception, these young actors are deeply grounded. “I started respecting them a lot more when I saw that they don’t carry the weight of coming from film family backgrounds. They all put their work ahead of their surnames. It doesn’t matter if one is a Khan, a Thadani, a Kapoor, or a Verma. We’re all the same.”

A Long-Awaited Connection

Beyond the professional sphere, working with Rasha Thadani provided Verma with a personal highlight: the chance to meet cinematic icon Raveena Tandon. “Mera ek chhota sa lalach pura ho gaya Rasha ke through – to meet Raveena ma’am,” he admitted. Calling the veteran actress a “legend” who is both witty and incredibly talented, Verma expressed his eagerness to learn from someone of her stature.

Navigating the Industry Together

The conversation also shed light on the competitive nature of Bollywood. Interestingly, Verma’s path nearly crossed with Suhana Khan long before their current collaboration on the film King. The actor revealed he had auditioned for the role in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies—the very project that marked Suhana’s debut—but opted for a different path after securing a role in Operation Safed Sagar.

“I don’t think Suhana knew I was auditioning for The Archies,” he remarked. “We didn’t even discuss this during the shoot of King. We understand that a young actor has to give multiple auditions and get shortlisted for only a few. You’ve to grab the first opportunity that comes your way with both hands.”

Ultimately, Verma believes that the current generation of performers is defined by a sense of mutual respect rather than cutthroat competition. “I believe that we, young actors, don’t really have that sense of competition among us,” he concluded. “We respect the opportunities each of us gets because we know the kind of stakes that are on us.”

As Verma continues to make his mark, his refreshing perspective on Abhay Verma and his peers suggests a shift toward a more collaborative and supportive environment in the next generation of Indian cinema.