‘I was better than Ranbir Kapoor': Muzammil Ibrahim on why he deserved 'Best Debut' award for his movie

Actor Muzammil Ibrahim, who debuted in Bollywood with the 2007 film Dhokha, recently spoke about the recognition he feels he was denied. The model-turned-actor stated that his performance in his first film warranted the Best Debut award, which instead went to Ranbir Kapoor for Saawariya, released the same year.

In a conversation with Filmibeat Prime, Muzammil expressed that the industry has not treated him fairly. He believes that had a star kid performed similarly in a debut role, the outcome would have been very different. He added that he did not find Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in Saawariya particularly exceptional and feels his own contribution deserved more acknowledgment. He said, "I don’t remember Ranbir Kapoor acting that great in Saawariya. I know that I deserved the Best Debut award for my first film. I do feel that I have not gotten my due."

Recognition and Industry Bias

Muzammil admitted that while he is beginning to receive some recognition for his work, it is still not comparable to what he believes he earned. He emphasized that if he had been born into a film family, the attention and limelight following his debut would have been far greater. Reflecting on the early buzz surrounding him, he recalled that many considered him India’s next potential superstar, although he clarified that he did not claim this title himself.

Alleged Threat to Established Stars

The Special Ops 2 actor also alleged that A-listers in the industry have deliberately restricted his opportunities, perceiving him as a threat to their status. He explained that producers have previously removed him from parallel lead roles to protect established stars’ positions.

This is not the first instance Muzammil has highlighted being sidelined. In an earlier interview with Siddharth Kannan, he revealed that director Ayan Mukerji had initially written a role for him in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, but it was eventually given to Aditya Roy Kapur. The actor’s candid remarks shed light on the challenges faced by outsiders in Bollywood and the impact of industry dynamics on career opportunities.