Kangana Ranaut's Gangster debut nearly slipped away after Koel Mullick was floated as the first choice. Koel Mullick reportedly turned down the film because she wasn’t comfortable with intimate scenes. Chitrangdha was reportedly finalized but opted out just days before filming, sending the project into a late re-casting scramble. [1]
That near-miss fuels a broader nepotism conversation in Bollywood. Some posts argue Koel Mullick’s supposed nepo pedigree complicates outsiders’ chances, while others say the industry should pick the best fit regardless of lineage. The Luck By Chance vibe is cited as a cautionary tale about outsiders trying to break in. [1]
Beyond gossip, branding chatter matters too. A 2024 Kroll's Celebrity Brand Valuation report ranks Ranveer Singh, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar among the top actors [2]. On the actress side, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Kareena Kapoor lead the pack [2]. Kareena’s longevity is highlighted as a counterpoint to quick-fire debuts. [2]
Bottom line: leaks shape how audiences weigh merit versus pedigree, and the debate isn’t going away anytime soon.
References
Recently, I got to know that Kangana almost didn't debut as she wasn't the first choice for Gangster. Koel Mullick (a big nepo from the Bengali film industry was the first choice)
Kangana almost not debut; Koel first choice; critique of Koel, Kangana, and gangsters' moll portrayal and nepo tag in Gangster
View sourceIndia's Top 3 Actors and Actresses according to 2024 report of Kroll's Celebrity Brand Valuation!
Kroll's 2024 list ranks Bollywood stars; comments debate Kareena's longevity, age dynamics, social media impact, and nepotism in rankings.
View source