Actor and entrepreneur Nikhil Nanda says that good looks play an important part in not only the film industry, but everywhere. He adds that it forms the first impression. “First impressions of a person are often based on appearance. Looks play a significant role, not just in entertainment, but in many aspects of life. For example, during a job interview, it’s an established psychological phenomenon that good looks can give a candidate up to a 68% advantage. This applies in many situations,” he says.
Talking about competition and favouritism in the industry, he says, “Competition is inherent. With a global population of 8 billion, opportunities haven’t grown at the same pace, so competition has only intensified. Favouritism exists in every industry, not just in entertainment. However, it is more pronounced in the entertainment industry due to the nature of the work. People who are born to parents in the industry may inherit better looks, which can give them a slight edge.”
He adds, “Fortunately, none of the opportunities I’ve missed were due to bad luck or my appearance. In fact, I’ve been fortunate enough to gain a few opportunities because of luck, and sometimes, because of my looks.”
