Coming from a prominent family can often mean stepping into the spotlight even before one has had the opportunity to establish an identity of their own. For Sanskruti Jayana, granddaughter of Anandiben Patel and daughter of Anar Patel, that reality has shaped the way she approaches her work, her relationships on set and the expectations she places on herself.
Speaking about whether her family background influences how people perceive her on set, Sanskruti Jayana acknowledges that being born into a certain kind of privilege inevitably comes with its own perceptions. However, rather than viewing it purely as an advantage or disadvantage, she believes it brings with it an added responsibility to prove herself through her work.
She said, “Definitely, when you come from a certain kind of family, people perceive you differently. I wouldn’t deny that, yes, I’m perceived in a certain way. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good or a bad thing. It’s always person to person. But I’ve always felt that when you come from a family or from privilege, you have to do more. And even I’ve been that way. There’s just the fact that people don’t simply take your word for it, you have to prove yourself, you end up working that much harder and you want to be nicer to people. That’s a psychological thing. You have to carry a responsibility because you’re carrying a surname, as you said and the legacy of people of a certain caliber. And hence that responsibility, to carry your legacy and your values forward the right way.”
For Sanskruti Jayana, the conversation around privilege is not about denying where she comes from, but about recognising the expectations that accompany it. She believes that a family name may open a door, but it cannot replace the consistency, discipline and effort required to build credibility in a professional space.