Walking into a cinema foyer anywhere in the world feels a bit like entering a cathedral. The air is filled with buttered popcorn and people conversing in low tones, and the walls are adorned with giant posters featuring impossibly perfect faces. We fork out fifteen quid for a ticket because we want to believe in the graft. The hope is that whoever made it onto that screen earned the spot by being that good. Lately, though, there’s been a faint edge to the mood. A feeling that the red carpet isn’t just rolled out for talent, but for birth certificates.
The term “nepo baby” might have started as a cheeky internet meme in the West, but the reality is much older and much wider. It’s the “family business” on a global scale. Whether it’s the sprawling sets of Mumbai or the rigid hierarchies of Seoul, the question remains: is the door actually open, or is it just a private members’ club?
The Global Mirror: A Comparison of Industry Access
| Industry | Primary Barrier | How “Nepo Babies” are Viewed | Recent Example (2025/2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood | The “Industry Baby” Network | Met with “memes” and Gen Z scrutiny. | Esther McGregor & Damian Hurley |
| Bollywood | Massive Film Dynasties | Intense public backlash & legal battles. | Karan Johar vs. CarryMinati |
| South Korea | Conglomerate (Chaebol) Ownership | Structural: “hidden” in management. | MBC/SBS management circles |
| Chinese Cinema | Tech/Capital Influence | Public hostility towards “wealthy scions”. | Annabel Yao (Huawei Princess) |
| European Cinema | Public Funding Favouritism | Scandals involving “conflict of interest”. | European Short Pitch whistleblower |
| Pakistani Drama | Casting Monopolies | Direct “kick-offs” of outsiders for star kids. | Arsalan Naseer project replacement |
| Japanese Ent. | Agency Lineage (Jimusho) | Hereditary duty; agency “monarchy”. | Ichikawa Kabuki-film lineage |
Hollywood: The “Industry Baby” and the Meritocracy Myth
In the States, the dream is all about merit. You move to LA with a suitcase and a dream, right? Well, not quite. The nepotism in the Hollywood film industry worldwide conversation hit a fever pitch at the 2025 Oscars after-parties, where critics noted the red carpet was practically a parent-teacher association meeting for Hollywood legends.
Look at Esther McGregor (daughter of Ewan) or Damian Hurley (son of Elizabeth). They’re talented, sure, but a 2025 study from the University of Alberta titled “Nepo Babies and the Myth of Meritocracy” found that roughly 44% of media coverage still bends over backwards to frame their success as “just hard work,” totally ignoring the massive safety net they were born with.
A new sub-category emerged in early 2026: the “Industry Baby.” These aren’t just children of stars, but kids of high-level gaffers, lighting directors, or middle management. They don’t have the famous name, but they have the “keys to the kingdom.” Tom Hanks recently told The Standard that Hollywood is a “family business,” which is a bit of a kick in the teeth for those without a famous surname.
Bollywood: Courtroom Battles and the “Flagbearers”
If you believe the West is awful, India is the eye of the storm. By early February 2026, the dispute had escalated into a full-fledged legal drama. And Karan Johar, long pilloried as the “flagbearer of nepotism,” actually obtained a court injunction against YouTuber CarryMinati for posting a parody video titled “Coffee with Jalan.” The court pulled the video, calling it “defamatory.”
But the outsider actors success stories tell a different tale. While star kids’ statistics suggest that about 80% of “insider” debuts fail to lead to long-term careers, the industry keeps betting on them. Ranbir Kapoor, a fourth-generation star, recently admitted at a 2025 festival that he is a “product of nepotism” and had it “very easy.”
However, fans are getting tired. They’re pointing out that while the film dynasties list grows, the quality of acting is taking a nose-dive because the focus is on “aesthetic” rather than craft.
South Korea: The Hidden Management Layer
South Korea has a unique take. Unlike the blatant “star kid” culture in Hollywood, is nepotism global cinema’s biggest problem here? Not exactly in front of the camera. According to Tatler Asia, nepo babies are rarer as actors because of the brutal “trainee” system. If you can’t dance or act, the public will eat you alive.
However, the nepotism is “hidden” in the management layer. Most major production houses are owned by Chaebols (massive family conglomerates). Recent discussions on forums like The Qoo highlight a “closed shop” environment at major channels like MBC and SBS. If you aren’t part of the corporate “inner circle,” getting your script read is almost impossible. It’s not about who your dad is; it’s about which corporate family owns your contract.
Chinese Film Industry: The Backlash Against “Huawei Princesses”
China’s audience is perhaps the least forgiving. When Annabel Yao, daughter of the Huawei founder, tried to launch an entertainment career, the backlash was mental. People weren’t buying the “I’m just a normal girl with a dream” narrative.
Then you have Arthur Chen (son of director Chen Kaige), who has spent years trying to prove he isn’t just a “dad’s boy” project. In China, the government even stepped in recently to regulate “fan culture,” which indirectly targets the massive promotional machines used to prop up star kids who lack the talent to back up the hype.
European Cinema: The Public Funding Scandal
In Europe, we like to think of film as “Art,” but the money trail says otherwise. A February 2026 report by Film Industry Watch highlighted a new $25,000 whistleblower fund to expose favouritism in public film labs.
Allegations have surfaced regarding organisations like European Short Pitch, where individuals were found to be selecting films produced by their own close associates or family members, despite being publicly funded. It’s a “posh” version of nepotism, not based on fame, but on elite networking and “old boy” associations that keep outsiders from getting a look-in.
The Pakistani Drama Industry: The “Kicked Off” Reality
In Pakistan, the drama industry is currently reeling from claims by actors like Arsalan Naseer, who recently shared in February 2026 how he was “kicked off” a project to make room for a veteran actor’s son.
The industry is dominated by a few powerful families, and the film industry nepotism comparison here is stark. Unlike Hollywood, where a nepo baby might still have to audition, in the Pakistani drama circuit, roles are often handed out over dinner. However, the rise of digital stars is starting to break this cycle, as “outsider” actors build their own audiences on social media before the TV moguls can stop them.
Japanese Entertainment: The Talent Agency Monopoly
Japan’s industry is ruled by “Jimusho” (talent agencies) that operate like small kingdoms. Nepotism here isn’t just about blood; it’s about “agency lineage.” If you belong to a powerful agency, you are guaranteed roles, regardless of talent.
The recent downfall of major agencies due to scandals has opened the door slightly, but the film dynasties list in Japan, like the Ichikawa family in Kabuki-turned-film, remains incredibly powerful. It’s a culture where “succession” is seen as a duty, making it one of the hardest industries for a true outsider to penetrate.
Does Talent Even Matter Anymore?
To be honest, it’s not that hard to become a cynic. When you spot Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda or Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan making their big debuts in 2025 and 2026, you may even feel the game is rigged. And in some ways, it is. But here’s the thing: it’s ultimately the audience who decides.
“Listen, a famous last name gets you in the room,” says one veteran critic I have followed for years. “But it doesn’t make the audience like you. If anything, they’re harsher on you.”
The outsider actors’ success stories of people like Kriti Sanon, who recently dazzled at Dubai Fashion Week 2026, with fans saying she “ate up the nepo girls”, prove that the public still craves authenticity. We can see through the polish. We know when a performance is “manufactured” versus when it’s lived.
Quick Questions: What You’re Asking
Is nepotism in the film industry worldwide a new thing?
Not even slightly. It’s as old as the hills. The only difference now is that we’ve got a name for it, “nepo babies”, and social media to call it out. The film dynasties list has been running the show for decades; we’re just finally paying attention.
Do star kids actually have higher success rates?
Actually, the star kids statistics tell a funny story. While they get the first break, roughly 8 in 10 fail to stick the landing long-term. A famous name gets you the audition, but it won’t make the audience love you.
Which country is toughest for an outsider?
Probably Japan or South Korea. In Japan, the agency monopolies are like iron. In Korea, nepotism is buried deep in the corporate management of the Chaebols. It’s a proper “closed shop” environment.
Are there any real outsider actors’ success stories lately?
Yeah, loads. Look at someone like Kriti Sanon, who’s currently outshining the industry kids in Bollywood. Or the “digital-first” actors in the Pakistani drama scene. They’re using the internet to bypass the gatekeepers entirely.
Why do studios still bank on famous kids?
It’s all about the “pre-sold” brand. For a producer, a kid with 5 million followers and a famous dad is a safer bet than a brilliant nobody. It’s lazy business, really.
The Final Take
So, is there nepotism in the film industries of other countries, too? Absolutely. It’s everywhere. It’s a global virus of “who you know.” But the digital age is starting to level the playing field. People are tired of the same three families ruling the screen.
The true change isn’t coming from the studios; it’s coming from us. We play the role of gatekeepers, deciding which films receive praise and which ones receive no attention. The reign of the untouchable star kid remains in full swing, but signs on the walls have begun to show some cracks.
Anyway, it’s some food for thought the next time you see a “new face” that bears an uncanny resemblance to an old one, isn’t it?
Sources and References
- Hindustan Times: Kriti Sanon’s showstopper ramp walk for Manish Malhotra at Dubai Fashion Week 2026 — A look at “outsider” success vs. industry kids.
- The Times of India: Mumbai Court RESTRAINS CarryMinati from making ‘Objectionable’ videos about Karan Johar — Latest February 2026 legal update on the nepotism debate.
- Folio (University of Alberta): Study looks at “nepo babies” debate and American meritocracy — Detailed findings on how the media covers celebrity children.
- Tatler Asia: Why nepo babies are rare in the Korean entertainment industry — Analysis of the structural barriers in South Korean cinema.
- Film Industry Watch: Special Report – Favouritism and nepotism in the European film space — Investigative report on public funding conflicts of interest.
- Daily Mirror: Alfonso Ribeiro and Busy Philipps among stars supporting James Van Der Beek’s family — Example of industry community and support networks.
