BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
The announcement by Dharma Productions to launch two brand-new actors — a boy and a girl — handpicked from over 500 nationwide auditions has grabbed massive attention across Bollywood. But beyond the excitement, many see this as a strategic step by Karan Johar to mend his image after years of being labeled the “flag bearer of nepotism.”
From “Flag-Bearer of Nepotism” to “Champion of Outsiders”?
The “N-word” in Bollywood — nepotism — first exploded into the mainstream when Kangana Ranaut, on Koffee with Karan (Season 5, Episode 5, aired in 2017), called Karan Johar the “flag bearer of nepotism.” The conversation, intended as witty banter, became a cultural moment that redefined Bollywood discourse.
Things turned uglier after Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death in 2020, when the debate around insiders vs. outsiders intensified. Johar, who had often launched star kids, suddenly became the face of an industry accused of gatekeeping. The trolling was relentless; hashtags trended daily, and social media practically turned him into the poster boy for Bollywood privilege.
Since then, Johar has tried to defend his stance in interviews, saying that he has been “trolled, abused, and misunderstood.” But this latest Dharma audition initiative searching for genuine, unconnected talent feels like a direct response to that criticism.
The Star-Kid Legacy and Dharma’s Role
Over the years, Dharma Productions has been instrumental in launching or promoting some of the biggest new-gen actors, mostly Star Kids from Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor to more recently Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Pandey, Sara Ali Khan, Shanaya Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan.
While these names brought instant visibility, they also reinforced the “nepo” narrative. Many of these actors, particularly the newer crop, have struggled to connect with audiences despite big-banner launches. For instance, Janhvi Kapoor has yet to deliver a consistent box office hit, and others like Shanaya and Ibrahim are yet to prove themselves.
This growing disconnect between audience expectations and star-kid dominance has made the audience more vocal and more unforgiving.
But, why Karan Johar Alone? The Double Standards in the Nepotism Debate
It’s worth asking: Why is Karan Johar the only one paying the price for something Bollywood and even South Indian cinema has practiced for decades?
From the Kapoors, Bachchans, Khans, Chopras, Roshans, and Akhtars in Hindi cinema to Daggubatis, and Akkinenis in the South family legacies have always been part of Indian film culture. Nepotism has been the foundation of the industry’s continuity, often passed off as “filmi parampara.”
For years, audiences celebrated it. We adored Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Ranbir Kapoor, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan without questioning their privilege. No one called out the system, until social media made fans more aware and outspoken.
So why single out Karan Johar? Directors like Zoya Akhtar recently launched The Archies on Netflix starring Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, and Agastya Nanda a lineup entirely composed of star kids. Yet, the outrage wasn’t as fierce.
Perhaps Johar’s visibility and his own talk show that celebrates the film industry’s elite made him an easy target. He became a face, not just of Dharma, but of Bollywood privilege itself.
The Audition Move: Smart PR or Sincere Step?
This latest talent hunt by Dharma Productions, which reportedly sifted through hundreds of auditions to find two complete outsiders, could serve dual purposes.
On one hand, it positions Dharma as a merit-driven production house open to new voices. On the other, it’s a shrewd PR move for Johar to reclaim credibility and quiet his critics.
If the new actors succeed, Johar gets praised for breaking stereotypes. If they don’t, he can argue that even outsiders struggle to deliver hits reinforcing his business logic for backing star kids. Either way, it’s a win-win narrative.
The Business Behind Nepotism
In fairness, there’s a commercial logic behind launching star kids. As actor and former casting director Abhishek Banerjee once explained, children of actors grow up immersed in the craft, learning by osmosis. They bring name recognition, media buzz, and a ready fan base crucial elements for a high-risk film business.
From that lens, Karan Johar’s earlier choices weren’t merely emotional; they were strategic. For years, the formula worked. But with audiences now demanding authenticity and diversity, the same strategy feels outdated, even exploitative.
A Shift in Bollywood’s DNA?
Whether this move by Dharma marks a real cultural shift or a carefully calculated reset remains to be seen. But it certainly reflects the changing mood in Indian entertainment where audiences now value talent over title, effort over entitlement.
If Johar’s “outsider experiment” succeeds, it could redefine how mainstream production houses scout talent. If not, it’ll likely be dismissed as another image-cleansing attempt.
Either way, the message is clear: Bollywood can no longer afford to ignore the audience’s voice, and even the most powerful filmmaker knows that now.
Cover collage credit: Featured actors/Instagram.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
