Reignited nepotism

From brand endorsements to celebrity alliances, Bollywood is the ultimate ticket to fame, glamour and super success

One of the hallmarks of the new Bollywood, it is said, is its willingness to welcome new talent that is not connected to the notoriously nepotistic industry. From Ayushmann Khurrana to Rajkummar Rao, Bollywood is increasingly offering roles to outsiders, a term reserved for those who are not connected by birth or marriage to a member of the industry.

This, however, is at best a qualified assertion. It is true that we see more outsiders in key roles today, but that could equally be an outcome of the sheer number of films being produced. The Hindi film industry alone produces