**Ever wondered why Bollywood's 'nepotism' debate rages on? Zoya Akhtar just dropped a bombshell: "People complain because they're not in a Dharma film – if you're acting, you're already in the industry!"[1][4]** Zoya Akhtar, the director behind hits like *Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara* and *The Archies*, is firing back at critics amid the endless nepotism chatter. Her Netflix debut *The Archies* (2023) launched star kids like Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, and Khushi Kapoor, sparking massive backlash over "insider favoritism."[1][2] In a viral podcast clip from *The Swaddle*, shared widely on Reddit, Zoya dismantled the "insiders vs. outsiders" myth.[1][4] She explained: "The industry isn't a room you're locked out of – it's **infrastructure**. Anybody can make a film, come here, and do what they want."[1][4] The real gripe? Not exclusion, but missing out on big banners like Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. "You want to act? You can act. And if you're acting, you're in the industry," she added bluntly.[1][4] Zoya backed it up with facts: Newcomers are flooding in yearly, stats show.[4] Even she, from a film family (daughter of Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani), waited **seven years** for her debut, while her collaborator Reema Kagti – a true outsider from Assam – directed first.[4] Reflecting on *The Archies* trolling, Zoya owned the choices: She auditioned the cast, felt guilty for the "bullying" of newbies, but stood firm – they were talented and professional.[1][2] This comes as Bollywood heats up, with jabs like Akshay Kumar's niece Simar Bhatia teasing Karan Johar: "Dharma ka picture kyun nahi diya?"[3] Zoya's take flips the script – success isn't about connections; it's hustle in an open field.
Citations
1.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/zoya-akhtar-anyone-can-enter-bollywood-people-complain-they-arent-in-a-dharma-movie-10453388/
2.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/zoya-akhtar-admits-mistakes-in-the-archies-defends-casting-choices-you-robbed-their-moment-and-its-heartbreaking-to-see/articleshow/112905271.cms
3.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-niece-simar-takes-a-jibe-at-karan-johar-dharma-ka-picture-nahi-dia-10430020/
4.https://jang.com.pk/en/56450-zoya-akhtar-dismisses-outsiders-concept-in-bollywood-anybody-can-make-a-film-news
5.https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-notes/29475111
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