In a industry where relationships are often as scripted as the movies, filmmaker Karan Johar has dropped a truth bomb that is sending ripples through the Hindi film fraternity. Speaking candidly about the shifting dynamics of stardom, the Dharma Productions head described talent management as a “thankless job,” claiming that modern-day actors are plagued by insecurity and a complete lack of professional loyalty.
The remarks, made during a recent interview with entrepreneur Sarthak Ahuja, have gained significant traction following the high-profile exit of Janhvi Kapoor from Johar’s talent management arm, Dharma Collab Artists Agency (DCAA). Kapoor, whom Johar famously launched in Dhadak, recently moved to the rival firm Collective Artists Network, a shift many insiders see as the catalyst for Johar’s unfiltered critique.
The “Hopping and Skipping” Culture
Johar didn’t hold back when describing the pattern of behavior he sees in today’s artists. According to the filmmaker, the constant fear of being “left behind” drives actors to switch representation every few years, regardless of the personal and professional investment an agency has made in them.
“Every two years, people are shifting from one agency to another because they are so insecure that they feel we are time-bound,” Johar stated. “Nobody is loyal in this business; actors just keep hopping and skipping.”
He further elaborated on the emotional toll this takes on talent managers. “You put two years of your life into a talent and they suddenly move somewhere else… then they don’t like it there and they want to come back to you. This is a vicious circle.”
“Voh Kisi Ke Nahi Hain”
The most biting part of Johar’s assessment was his description of the modern “artist-agency” relationship. He suggested that for many actors, the bond is purely transactional and driven by ego rather than long-term partnership.
“Just commission on artists is going to give you nothing because artists are nobodies. They are absolutely nobodies, voh kisi ke nahi hain.”
Johar argued that the traditional model of earning a percentage from an actor’s fees is no longer a viable business. Because of this perceived lack of loyalty, he noted that many agencies are now moving toward “equity-based” partnerships—where they own a stake in the celebrity’s brand—to ensure they aren’t left empty-handed when a star decides to jump ship.
Managing Egos Over Everything
With over 30 years in the industry, the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director noted that his job has evolved from being a creative visionary to a full-time crisis manager for fragile egos.
“Ninety percent of this business is about handling people, egos, and insecurities,” he admitted. He also shared that he has had to develop a “Zen-like” detachment to survive the constant flux of Bollywood. “I have become zen about success and failure… otherwise, I would be in an ICU.”
The Janhvi Factor and Industry Shifts
While Johar’s comments were generalized, industry watchers have been quick to connect them to Janhvi Kapoor’s recent departure. As one of Dharma’s most prominent protégés, her move signaled a major shift in the “camp” culture that has historically dominated Bollywood.
Reports suggest Janhvi is currently in a “career audit” phase, seeking to build an identity beyond the “star kid” label often associated with Johar’s mentorship. However, Johar’s latest outburst suggests that while the actors are moving on to “greener pastures,” the bridge-burning may be more literal than professional.
Currently, DCAA continues to represent names like Sara Ali Khan, Rohit Saraf, and Ananya Panday, but Johar’s words serve as a stern warning to the industry: in the modern era of Bollywood, “loyalty” is the most expensive—and rarest—commodity. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
