Nepotism isn’t new, but a three-decade thread ties 1990s gatekeeping to today’s prod houses. In the late 1990s and 2000s, stars like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Ranbir Kapoor rode dynastic fame; outsiders such as Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone also shaped the era’s shifts. The debate then, as now, centered on who earned a break and who rode a launchpad of privilege [1].
Nepo in the 90s-00s Was nepotism this rampant back then, or did audiences not care as much? The thread notes Bollywood felt more down-to-earth and closer to India, but gatekeeping around parties and access persisted. PR and visibility today amplify nepo kids, often fueling frustration and scrutiny [1].
Lakshya vs Ahaan The Lakshya and Ahaan chatter asks why Ahaan dominates headlines despite fewer releases. Observers point to industry power—Dharma as a banner and who gets the push—sparking talk of timing, directorial debuts, and the luck factor in today’s star system [2].
Tripti Dimri after Animal Tripti Dimri’s life after Animal fuels discussion about PR-driven trajectories, endorsements, and whether a blockbuster can lock in opportunities or merely reset expectations. The thread flags how a hit can fatten a career but not guarantee a steady mainstream run [3].
Baggage and gatekeeping biases - Ananya Panday and airport baggage culture show privilege in plain sight; hiring assistants becomes a status signal and fuel for hot takes about class and access [4]. - Smita Patil wasn’t allowed entry at the Delhi Film Festival in the early 1980s because she didn’t look like a film star, underscoring old-school gatekeeping that critics say still echoes today [5].
Power and image still decide who gets screens, chances, and scripts.
References
Was nepotism this rampant in 1990s and 2000s?
Debate on nepotism in 1990s-2000s Bollywood, insiders vs outsiders, shifts due to PR, media, film funding, and fame and power
View sourceLakshya and Ahaan
Debate on Lakshya and Ahaan's careers, box office success, endorsements, nepotism, media hype, and fan discourse.
View sourceTripti Dimri on life after Animal and her future
Discusses Tripti Dimri's career post-Animal, her PR, film choices, comparisons with Rashmika, Spirit, and perceived 180/360 career turns and influence
View sourceWhy actors feel shame in carrying there own baggage
Discussion on Bollywood stars hiring assistants, carrying bags, class privilege, image management, and nepotism critiques of Ananya Pandey and others.
View sourceSmita Patil wasn't allowed entry at the Delhi Film Festival in the early 1980s because she didn't “look a like a film star.”
Smita Patil denied entry at Delhi festival; thread discusses beauty bias, rivalries, and sexism in Bollywood history
View source