Apr 5, 2023
By: Srishti Magan
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It’s no secret that Bollywood is tough on outsiders. While nepotism prevails across industries, it gets the most attention in Bollywood. People who’re part of the industry not only enjoy early access to talented and influential film personalities but are also adept at navigating the industry’s dynamics - because they grew up in it.
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Countless stories show how nepotism in the industry extends beyond giving chances to family members – it also involves the active obstruction of another person’s career. And yet there are many actors who managed to achieve stardom despite being outsiders. Here are a few of them:
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Priyanka Chopra entered the industry after winning the Miss World title in 2000. She went on to deliver groundbreaking performances in Barfi, Bajirao Mastani, and countless others. Yet, in a recent podcast with Dax Shepard, she admitted to receiving limited offers and stereotypical roles in the industry, prompting her to explore Hollywood - where she has succeeded as well.
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Kangana Ranaut pursued acting against her father’s wishes and established herself as a star after delivering hits like Fashion, Queen, Woh Lamhe, etc. Later, she called out director-producer Karan Johar for nepotism on his chat show, Koffee With Karan and has repeatedly attacked the film industry and the “movie mafia”.
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In 2011 the Kartik Aaryan-starring romantic comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnaama emerged as a sleeper hit. But it was only 4 years later when its sequel released, that Aaryan shot to nationwide fame. Aaryan went on to deliver multiple hits, including one of the biggest blockbusters of 2022 - Bhool Bhulaiyya 2.
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Few actors have the kind of charm and talent to achieve commercial success and critical acclaim. National Film-award winner Rajkummar Rao is one such star. Rao debuted in 2010 with Dibakar Banerjee’s Love Sex Aur Dhokha. Time after time, he’s pushed the envelope with his film choices like Trapped, Newton, Stree, or the latest, Badhaai Do.
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An engineering graduate, Kriti Sanon debuted in 2014 with Heropanti, which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Since then, Sanon has carved a place for herself as a star to look out for, especially after her recent slew of hits like Bareilly Ki Barfi, Mimi and Bhediya.
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In a short-lived career, the late Sushant Singh Rajput delivered memorable hits like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kai Po Che, Chhichhore, etc. In 2020, Rajput tragically died by suicide, prompting a conversation on mental health and the industry’s approach to outsiders.
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One of the most successful actors on the list, Anushka Sharma is a model-turned-actor. She debuted with the 2008 romantic comedy Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, starring alongside Bollywood’s king of romance, Shah Rukh Khan. In 2013, the actor turned producer, backing novel stories like NH10, Phillauri, Paatal Lok, etc. She stepped away from her production company in 2022.
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Ayushmann Khurrana had the tinsel town, and the audiences, talking with his debut Vicky Donor, in which he starred as a sperm donor. Since then, he’s become the reigning star of films that tackle social issues with a humorous touch. With his National Film award-winning performance in Andhadhun he proved his acting chops.
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Some of the aforementioned actors, like Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut, have talked about how Bollywood groups tried to stifle their career growth. They’re not alone. Music composer AR Rahman and writer-editor Apurva Asrani have also opened up about being purposely sidelined by the industry.
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