Cronyism/Nepotism- why and how can it be changed?

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MoonOrchid

@MoonOrchid

Dazzler

Posted: 6 years ago

I was discussing this in another thread and thought it is a worthy subject.

The nepo kids stable has increased tenfold compared to 90's- their families are getting bolder...demanding better 'star-driven' debuts..more money spent on their debut/image ..

The 'inner circle' kids are also more media-ready.. more 'polished' to 'look and act like stars'... given more 'star-vehicle' movies to prove they are 'actors' (even if they barely took some acting classes)...PR teams and professionals to help them overcome any 'hiccups', cover any 'misdeeds' and turn their image around (even stylists/surgeries)...

Look at last few years debuts.. there's been a more..carefully laid-out plan to increase their visibility online.. more concerted effort to make them 'likable' and 'approachable' to the masses.

Most moviegoers don't even realise they are being 'made' to like some of these 'particular cases' by the fact that certain roles are written so well, anyone with some modicum of talent could have done a good (or even much better!) job than the nepo kid getting it.

So I think this is a bigger and longer 'con' than before..

The use of Media in changing perceptions about their acting talent is also unprecedented.

You see now average actors from 'inner circle/nepo clans' being touted as 'great actors' through varied media portals (and people believing them!).. a lot of 'new media' posting ad nauseam about 'only certain nepo kids' (there are rumours some nepo kids/producers own media portals that carry their 'input and work hard at making these nepo kids THE 'best choice').. so they are working hard to prove that these nepo kids do add value to movie industry.

Rumours of producers chasing roles and removing anyone from nepo kids path to ensure their nepokid career goes smoothly and the best roles go to their fave nepo kids.

So I am wondering- how can this be fought on?

It's naught to impossible to take on the whole 'inncer circle' of the industry.. no matter how talented - you still need a good PH, a good script, a good management and PR.. just to fight against blinds and other varied ' hidden attacks' the 'inner circle' would try on a talented outsider.

Dunno what the solution would be. Maybe new PH (non dependent on the 'old BW clans') employing great directors and casting only through auditions.. serious auditions.. and ensuring those getting roles on merit are promoted adequately and given WELL WRITTEN roles ..so they have a chance to shine against the nepo circle and their 'tactics'??

But then when your outsiders are thrashed through varied BW insiders-owned portals..or given minimum print space, their talent minimalised in print space.. allthwhile most media taking and running with the 'nepo clans' stories and praise.. how can you not just survive.. but manage to overcome such things?

Interestingly, KJo was saying if outsiders are HUGELY talented he'll take them. But he takes really bad nepo kids or average ones anyday and promotes them and gives them movies (sure it's his money..but what twisted criteria?)... Pffft.

Edited by MoonOrchid - 6 years ago

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sania349

@sania349

Navigator

Posted: 6 years ago

there isnt a solution to this. this will always happen. it puts me off immensely. favortism and being biased is dangerous and it is unhealthy for the industry's growth.

the only way this can be overcomed which is unlikely is through the audience. the audience will not care about nepotism..they are going to see someones daughter or son and recognize them and get excited by them and see their films and hype them up.

more talented outsiders need to be launched by big talent agencies and give them a platform. YRF does this imo...dharma does not. also filmfare is incredibly biased.

Unfortunately it is up to the outsiders to hold their ground and garner support from powerful people in the industry. bollywood works on their terms...they can make or break an actors career. but when powerful people have a nepotism mindset nothing will change😕

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Male-Chauvinist-Pig

@Ur-Miserable

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

firstly there is no increase in volume, it is same as usual. Shit ones always get found out and vanish. Although it is true, that these fools get too much chances, before getting found out, but as long as it is their parents money I don't care.

It is also true paid reviews to make their acting great, PR created image and media polishing happens a lot, which tries to make them appealing. But ultimately, if you don't have it, you don't get it. Last year, we saw that despite the huge attempts of Sallu, Ayush flopped. Before that Athiya, Suraj, Harsh(although he is a decent actor) and many more chota mota industry kids bit the dust. While those who could connect with the audience, they connect, the likes of Varun, Tiger, Ranbir, Katrina(isn't a star kid but was massively pushed by Sallu) Alia and Shraddha. While Sonam is still trying, although she is being saved by script choices. Sara, Jhanvi and Ishaans of the world still have much more to prove.

The biggest problem with this is, people don't want to create anything revolutionary, they all want to be part of the inner circle. Everyone, understandable, as it is a losing battle as audience only care about entertainment, doesn't matter who is doing it.

Even those who are outsiders, make their own camp by giving work to their own people, hence carrying on the tradition. Unless there is a company keen to invest on just talent and nothing else. Nothing will change, insiders will get free chance, outsiders will eventually be like insiders and cycle goes on and on.

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MoonOrchid

@MoonOrchid

Dazzler

Posted: 6 years ago

I don't have an issue with the talented ones - but then whether they are 'talented' or not it's again another debate.. or HOW they arrived to be seen as talented- would they be seen the same if given crappy/so-so roles, like the outsiders might get, for a few years since debut? And not being hyped at every finger move by media?

The issue is that the cult of stars is still high and BW insiders use this for their own profit, to the detriment of quality.

Have you ever watched a movie with a so-so Nepo Kid actor/actress and wondered: hmm, how would this movie have looked with a BETTER, REALLY TALENTED..winning role on MERIT..outsider (or insider, but winning role on audition&talent rather than on favouritism)??

Because I did. Many times.

And being apathethical is not a good thing ( this is not directed at R-T-H, by the way..just a general assessment) when an industry should strive for Meritorial Competence.

I give -again- an example in the South Korean industry, that welcomes and trains outsiders in masses, then chooses the BEST to represent them in movies and TV series..They have made a huge success out of this.

Why can't PH houses in BW see this positive..like in a bussiness?

I mean using talented outsiders is also good return to investment because:

1. You pay them less at debut (or a 5 movie contract) so your earnings are bigger- because these talented actors want to ACT badly and strive to give good performances , unlike many nepo kids that are half-arsed about their roles, because they know they have their parents money to fall back on.

2. You create good cinema that brings audiences in (audiences are becoming more aware of what's 'real' talent and what's not, and which scripts are crappy) and thus you get Quality and Profit (Money) in the same movie.

3. Although there are talented outsiders trying to create own circle.. the GOOD thing is they use TALENTED actors.. So that type of cronyism is NOT affecting Quality.

4. You spend less on PR, teams to 'manufacture' the image..These kids mostly come with acting chops and (sometimes) good looks.. so there's less amount needed to be spent in changing them. You simply cast them if talented and wait to see if they 'click' with the masses - obviously, provided they get a good script/role..not a Nepo Kid.. leftovers (cause then why would you expect them to shine with something a nepo kid discarded as not great scope for their own image as good actors?).

If these Nepo Kids launched constantly were all great and talented (and not so much money, effort from PR, trainers,PH, film crew and so on.. wasted on them), my gripe with this would be non existent to insignificant.

Edited by MoonOrchid - 6 years ago

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briahna

@briahna

Inactive

+ 4

Posted: 6 years ago

Call it going off topic here
Couple of weeks ago non nepo kangana demolished all
And this week nepo aloo demolishes all

Two of my favourite ladies on list rocking Bollywood with their acting'

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MoonOrchid

@MoonOrchid

Dazzler

Posted: 6 years ago

Nah it's fine bri.. not off topic.. you have a right to express your views, same as everyone.

I mentioned the issues is not the talented ones.

More..how many mediocre./average nepo kids are given constant chances..thus making so many movies average..when instead those roles could have gone to greater actors that would have made the movie Much Better/Excellent??

More getting the ones that deserve the role.. that FIT the role best.

But wouldn't you prefer a role to be earned rather that given on platter?

In USA , for massive/important roles.. actors/actresses KNOWN for talent lobby and audition.. even if they are Well Established.

Directors have final say on who the cast as they look at WHO FITS BEST THE ROLE... not as Who might SOMEWHAT FITS, in OKAYSH style , a a role... and even then they don't always get it perfect/right.

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tina

@tina59

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 6 years ago

I guess , in the end , the audience is the one who will give the verdict and make a star out of someone.

But its the opportunities, the system on how the Bollywood works is troubling

For eg: if 8 out of 10 movies are bagged by Nepo kids based on their influence and 2 are bagged by outsiders, the chances of nepo kids succeeding is automatically more. Talent takes a backseat here.

Equal opportunities attracts talent unfortunately at this point , that's not the case in Bollywood now

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MoonOrchid

@MoonOrchid

Dazzler

Posted: 6 years ago

Exactly, tina.

And -in systemic 'wording' : if a system is wrong/corrupted.. then one needs to ensure the system is rebooted😉 so performances can gain top capability.

Now whether actors/directors/producers are indeed willing to help get this 'reboot' done or just follow own interests, remains to be seen.

BW should be better than many industries and should get recognition once quality movies are the norm.

One has to look into what drags it backwards.

Although I am glad more and more people are aware of the 'smoke and mirrors' through media that 'old BW' is using to try sustain their weaklings..

Edited by MoonOrchid - 6 years ago