Comedian Rajiv Thakur recently commented on Bollywood actor Uday Chopra, pointing out that despite his privileged background and backing from Yash Raj Films (YRF), his career as an actor didn’t flourish. Thakur emphasised that it is ultimately the audience who decides an actor’s fate.
Recalling his own struggling days
In an interview with Hindi Rush, Rajiv reflected on his early career and the challenges he faced. “I have always charted my own path in life, even back in Amritsar. When the auditions for Laughter Challenge opened up, I was the one who filled in Chandan (Prabhakar)’s application. He didn’t want to do it, but I insisted that all of us friends would do it together. Even today, if I get the chance to put the spotlight on one of my friends, I take it—but only those whose talent I believe in,” he said.
Thakur explained that despite opportunities, talent cannot be forced. “Kapil can take me along once or twice, but if the channel doesn’t want me, then that’s that. It took me eight years just to become a permanent member of his cast. Nobody on this planet can make something happen for an untalented person. Look at Uday Chopra, for example. What did Yash Chopra not have? He had money, resources, studios, directors… But Uday bhai’s career as an actor wasn’t meant to happen. It’s not that he didn’t have talent, but he had a talent for something else,” Thakur said regarding his experience on The Kapil Sharma Show.
Audience decides a star’s fate
Thakur continued to highlight the role of the audience in determining an actor’s success. “People often overlook that not everyone from a privileged background becomes successful. Take my own family, for example. My brother, Uday, is an actor, but he hasn’t had a very successful career. He’s the son of one of the biggest filmmakers and the brother of another. Even with YRF, a company known for launching numerous newcomers, we couldn’t turn him into a star. Why? Because the ultimate decision lies with the audience—they choose whom they like and whom they want to see. No one else can make that decision for them,” he said.
Thakur’s remarks underline a broader reality in the entertainment industry: talent, audience preference, and timing often play more crucial roles than connections or wealth. Despite facing early struggles, Thakur carved a niche for himself in comedy through perseverance and his distinct style, proving that persistence and genuine talent often outweigh privilege in achieving long-term success.