New-Gen Actresses: Will the Next Wave Break the Nepo Cycle?

New-gen actresses are riding a hype wave, but the Nepo cycle isn’t going quietly. Here’s the lineup that’s sparking conversation, plus the big debates that cloud the hype.

• Nitanshi Goel — Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana 2 with Rohit Saraf; a Zee Studios film; an Anand Devarakonda project; Sunny Deol action-thriller. ^[1] • Pratibha Ranta — The Revolutionaries; a Dharma film with Konkona Sen; Dostana 2; a film with T-series. ^[1] • Sharvari — Alpha; a film with Ayushman; Imtiaz Ali's next; Maha Munjya; YRF- Ahaan action romance. ^[1] • Janki Bodiwala — Shaitaan 2; Mardaani 3; her Gujarati films. ^[1] • Aneet Padda — Shakti Shalini; a romcom with YRF (many more are in discussions & but these are confirmed as of now). ^[1] • Medha Shankar — Sunny Weds Ginny 2; a spy-comedy with Sunny Kaushal and Nimrat Kaur; an untitled project exploring homosexuality. ^[1] • Rasha Thadani — Laikey Laika; action romance with Lakshay; Tollywood debut with Mahesh Babu's nephew; a romantic movie with Ibrahim Ali Khan. ^[1] • Sreeleela — Untitled film of Anurag Basu-KA; Diler with Ibrahim Ali Khan; a horror comedy with Aaman Devgan (on hold); a Maddock project. ^[1] • Meenakshi Chaudhary — Force 3; Bhagam Bhaag 2 with Akshay Kumar; a Maddock project. ^[1]

The thread also signals a divide: it says it won’t feature nepo kids like Ananya Panday and Janhvi Kapoor in this post, planning a separate piece instead. ^[1]

Meanwhile, a second take warns the industry could be sinking under star-kid hype. It calls out Khushi Kapoor and notes chatter that ad promos and OTT deals lean on Nepo visibility, with Shanaya Kapoor getting praise for lines in a separate moment of the discourse. ^[2]

Takeaway: hype is loud, but the real test is lasting star power built on craft and choice projects. Watch how these women push beyond the chatter in the coming year.

References