When 90s Star Kids Became Superstars, and Today’s Get Trolled

In today’s Bollywood, the moment a star kid is launched, they are instantly under the public scanner. From social media trolling to accusations of nepotism, the backlash is swift and brutal. But was this always the case?

Rewind to the 90s. Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Abhishek Bachchan—all came from film families. Yet, none of them faced the kind of trolling today’s nepo-kids face.

So what changed? Let’s explore why the star kids of the 90s were accepted—and even celebrated—while today’s newcomers are being constantly criticized.

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🔹 90s Nepo Kids: Talent That Spoke Louder Than Surnames

In the pre-2000s era, several film family kids entered Bollywood and quickly made their mark:

• Salman Khan – Maine Pyar Kiya

• Aamir Khan – Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

• Ajay Devgn – Phool Aur Kaante

• Karisma Kapoor – Prem Qaidi

• Saif Ali Khan – Parampara

• Hrithik Roshan – Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai

• Abhishek Bachchan – Refugee

• Kareena Kapoor – Refugee

These actors showed strong acting skills from the very beginning. Even if some of them didn’t deliver blockbusters right away, audiences saw the potential and dedication in their performances.

They didn’t just ride on their surnames—they earned their place through effort, screen presence, and a hunger to perform.

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🔹 Today’s Nepo Kids: Criticism Before Debut

Compare that to today’s nepo kids:

• Suhana Khan – The Archies

• Khushi Kapoor – The Archies

• Junaid Khan – Maharaj

• Ibrahim Ali Khan – Nadaniyaan

• Shanaya Kapoor – Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan

Before even their films are released, they are trolled heavily across platforms. Why?

✅ Lack of strong acting skills

✅ Over-hyped debuts with zero screen legacy

✅ More Instagram presence than acting workshops

✅ Entitlement without impact

Audiences today feel that many of these newcomers look unprepared and uninterested in the craft, and more obsessed with the celebrity life.

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🔹 So, What Has Changed Over Time?

1. The Social Media Effect

In the 90s, there was no Twitter, no YouTube comments, no Instagram trolls. Today, audiences react in real-time, and bad acting or perceived privilege gets exposed instantly.

2. Smarter Audiences

Today’s viewers are aware, analytical, and unforgiving. They understand what good acting looks like and won’t be convinced by surnames or big banners anymore.

3. More Hype, Less Hard Work

90s stars proved their worth before they became famous. Today, many nepo kids are made famous before they’re proven.

4. Lack of Gravitas

Earlier, star kids looked like they were hungry for success. Today, many come across as entitled or underprepared, especially when compared to self-made actors like Rajkummar Rao or Vicky Kaushal.

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🔹 The Core Issue: Nepotism or No Talent?

Nepotism exists and always did. But the bigger question is: Are you good at what you do?

Star kids like Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, or Varun Dhawan are proof that the audience still accepts nepo kids—if they are talented.

The problem arises when talent is missing, but the push is huge.

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🔹 Conclusion:

The 90s nepo kids earned their stardom by proving themselves with strong debuts and better preparation. Today’s star kids are being pushed into the limelight without polishing their craft, and the audience is not buying it.

Bollywood is no longer just about legacy—it’s about skill, connection, and consistency. If today’s nepo kids want to succeed, they need to stop chasing stardom and start respecting the art of acting.