Kichcha Sudeep's nephew Sanchith on nepotism: My uncle can't act on my behalf

Mango Pachcha actor Sanchith Sanjeev, who recently made his Kannada film debut, opened up about the pressure of carrying the legacy of his uncle, Kichcha Sudeep, and shared his views on the often-debated subject of nepotism in the film industry. Mango Pachcha is a crime drama directed by Viveka and backed by Supriyanvi Picture Studio and KRG Studios. The film released on June 5 and marked the actor's launch in Kannada cinema.

In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Sanchith said he is well aware of the responsibility that comes with belonging to one of Kannada cinema's most recognised families, but does not allow that pressure to dictate his decisions.

"The pressure? I don't think I've succumbed to that pressure because I know that I have a responsibility. As long as I know it, I don't need people to remind me about it," he said.

The actor explained that taking the pressure too seriously could affect his judgement as an artiste.

"As long as I'm responsible towards the family that I come from, the rest is all just noise. The minute I succumb to it, it's going to be really hard for me and my judgements and decisions towards certain projects will be clouded," he added.

Speaking about nepotism, Sanchith argued that privilege exists across professions and is not unique to cinema. Drawing parallels with business and politics, he said people often gravitate towards careers they grow up observing.

"Nepotism is there in every single field of work. A person who grows up in a business family naturally understands that world because that's what they've seen all their life," he said.

While acknowledging that family connections can open doors, Sanchith stressed that success ultimately depends on an individual's ability to connect with audiences.

"Yes, of course there are privileges, but it's only till a certain point. My uncle can't come and act on behalf of me. He can only get me to a point. After that, it's all on me," he said.

The actor also pointed out that audiences have the final say, regardless of a person's background.

"If the character you play doesn't fulfil the audience's needs, then you're just another person. If people connect with you and what you're performing, then the rest really doesn't matter," he said.

During the interview, Sanchith also opened up about the challenges facing the Kannada film industry and the limited opportunities available on OTT platforms. He spoke about the need to empower writers and shared his admiration for filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma.

The actor further reflected on growing up around Kichcha Sudeep and discussed his aspirations as both an actor and a filmmaker.

He also reflected on the possibility of sharing screen space with Sudeep in the future and his dream of one day directing the Kannada superstar in a film inspired by the intensity of films like Sarkar.