Introduction
The shiny world of Bollywood has always been fascinating to millions across the globe. It’s a city of dreams where emotions run deep, and stories are told as musicals and high-energy drama. However, behind this glitzy world, there is a long-standing issue of Nepotism in Bollywood which always haunts this industry. Nepotism is a phenomenon where preferential treatment is given to family members and close friends for casting roles and other important jobs. This makes the outsider entry into the industry very hard making the industry lose its diversity and quality. Over the years several debates on Nepotism in Bollywood have been raised but no improvement seen till now. In this blog, we will understand Nepotism in Bollywood by exploring some of the top movies that have been at the center of the nepotism debate.
“Student of the Year” (2012)
Whenever we discuss Nepotism in Bollywood, “Student of the Year” by Karan Johar tops the list. This movie was the launchpad for star kids where Alia Bhatt, daughter of Mahesh Batt, and Varun Dhawan, son of David Dhawan were launched. This movie has faced criticism over opportunities being handed to star kids instead of discovering fresh talent outside. The film’s success didn’t stop the criticism of Nepotism in Bollywood but rather intensified the debate. Karan Johar the film’s director has been labeled as the torchbearer of Nepotism in Bollywood, as he has been accused in the past for launching many starkids.
“The Zoya Factor” (2019)
Based on Anuja Chauhan’s novel, “The Zoya Factor” is another movie that casts star kids. Sonam Kapoor, the daughter of Anil Kapoor a Bollywood actor is the lead actress, whereas Dulquer Salmaan, the son of Mammootty a Mollywood actor (refer to Nepotism in Mollywood) is the lead actor in the movie. The film’s storyline is centered around luck and superstition, ironically starting the debates around privilege and opportunities in the industry.
“Dhadak” (2018)
Dhadak is a 2018 movie that is a remake of the Marathi movie Sairat. Remaking itself shows the lack of creativity in the industry i.e., the industry is lacking originality and highly dependent on other industries for its content. This film marked the debut of Jahhvi Kapoor, daughter of later actress Sridevi, and Ishaan Khattar, half-brother of actor Shahid Kapoor which again highlights how dominating is Nepotism in Bollywood and even critics couldn’t ignore the industry’s love for promoting star kids. The film’s success raised questions about whether newcomers with no industry connections would have received the same opportunities.
“Loveyatri” (2018)
Another example of Nepotism in Bollywood is this movie. “Loveyatri” is a Salman Khan production venture that launched Aayush Sharma who’s Salman’s brother-in-law. And, Aayush’s connection to Salman Khan undoubtedly played a role in his launch. While the film intended to provide a fresh romantic story, it was marred by the nepotism allegations that often overshadowed its narrative.
“Drive” (2019)
On the contrary “Drive” is a movie that was neglected because it didn’t have any star kid in a prominent role. This is another example of Nepotism in Bollywood, how outsiders are discouraged, discredited, and isolated by the few controlling the industry. This movie got people’s attention after the tragic death of Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020. It reflects the darker aspects of the industry, including the challenges outsiders face i.e., inequality between insiders and outsiders. The film was completed in 2017 but released directly on Netflix in 2019 due to its perceived shortcomings. Many saw this as a reflection of the industry’s willingness to promote films with star kids over projects featuring talented outsiders like Sushant.
“Hero” (2015)
Another movie produced by Salman Khan production house that launched yet another star kid (YASK) highlighting Nepotism in Bollywood. “Hero” marked the debut of Sooraj Pancholi, son of Aditya Pancholi, and Athiya Shetty, daughter of Suniel Shetty. The film was a remake of the 1983 film of the same name starring Jackie Shroff. Not only does the story show any originality but the film has star kids in lead roles which again fueled discussion about the preferential treatment given to those with connections as such actors and actresses getting their first film under big studio houses.
“Kalank” (2019)
Nepotism strikes again with this multi-star period drama “Kalank” featuring a list of star kids including Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditya Roy Kapur pointing out the dominance of Nepotism in Bollywood. While the film aimed to deliver a grand cinematic experience, it was criticized for relying on star power rather than the merit of the script. This led to renewed debates about how nepotism often overshadows the quest for genuine talent in the industry.
“Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” (2019)
“Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” marks the directorial debut of Sunny Deol’s son, Karan Deol. The film also features Sahher Bambba in the lead role. Despite the film’s attempt to showcase fresh talent, it faced scrutiny for being perceived as another instance of Nepotism in Bollywood. This added to the ongoing debate about the challenges faced by newcomers without industry connections.
“Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl” (2020)
Starring Janhvi Kapoor, daughter of actress Sri Devi in the titular role, “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl” is based on the life of Indian Air Force pilot Gunjan Saxena. While Janhvi received praise for her portrayal, her casting reignited the Nepotism in Bollywood debate. The film’s release sparked debates about whether it overshadowed equally deserving actors who may not have had the same familial backing.
“Simmba” (2018)
Directed by Rohit Shetty, “Simmba” stars Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan in prominent roles. Ranveer Singh, a close kin of Anil Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan, being the daughter of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, faced scrutiny regarding Nepotism in Bollywood discussions. Despite Sara’s commendable performance, her background sparked debates about whether star kids have easier access to opportunities in the industry. This film further fueled conversations about fairness and inclusivity in Bollywood’s casting processes.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding Nepotism in Bollywood movies is a complex issue with no easy solutions. While industry insiders argue that they bring a certain level of familiarity and audience connection, critics believe that they hamper diversity and limit opportunities for outsiders. The movies mentioned above are just a few examples of the larger pattern that has emerged within the industry. It’s important to remember that while some star kids have succeeded based on their talent and dedication, the systemic biases cannot be ignored. As the industry evolves, the need for a level playing field becomes more apparent. Efforts should be made to encourage fresh talent and diverse voices, regardless of their family background.