The debate around nepotism in Bollywood never truly fades away. It often quietens down before resurfacing when a celebrity shares an opinion. Recently, director, producer, and writer Zoya Akhtar spoke on the subject, once again bringing the issue into public discussion.
Zoya Akhtar stated that it is unfair to view the Hindi film industry only through the idea of insiders and outsiders. She described Bollywood as an open space where people can build careers through talent and sustained hard work.
She explained that many claims of not getting opportunities actually refer to not being cast by major banners like Dharma Productions. According to her, anyone acting or working in cinema in any capacity is already part of the industry.
Citing statistics, Zoya Akhtar said most new stars entering films every year do not come from film families. Many struggle for years and often arrive from outside Mumbai before finding meaningful work in the industry.
Sharing her own experience, she revealed that despite belonging to a prominent film family, it took nearly seven years to make her first film. She added that her collaborator Reema Kagti directed a film before she did.
However, her remarks have upset several fans online. Many feel that someone from an influential film background may not be the right voice to dismiss concerns around nepotism in Bollywood.
Fans argue that while outsiders do work in the industry, those without film connections are often sidelined. They believe such actors are consistently placed behind those who benefit from nepotistic advantages.
As an example, fans cited Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. The film stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor alongside Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf, highlighting the contrast between star kids and outsiders.
According to fans, despite being part of a major Dharma production, the outsiders were treated as supporting characters. They feel this reflects the deeper imbalance that nepotism continues to create within the film industry.
The discussion has once again reopened long standing questions about access, privilege, and fairness in Bollywood. The debate continues to divide opinions across audiences and industry observers alike.
