Why the Internet Still Trolls Janhvi and Ananya

New Delhi, June 11, 2026: The conversation surrounding Bollywood’s “nepo kids” is a fixture of social media culture, but recently, the spotlight has burned brighter than ever for Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday. Despite both actresses making strides in their respective careers and attempting to carve out unique paths, they have once again found themselves at the center of the internet’s collective trolling machine.

From viral dance sequences to heavy criticisms of their on-screen performances, the wave of backlash highlights a deep-seated fatigue among audiences regarding industry privilege, even as the starlets continue to pull in major projects.

The Sparks That Reignited the Fire

The latest wave of online trolling stems from recent releases that put both actresses back under the public microscope. For Ananya Panday, the criticism peaked with her performance in the romantic drama Chand Mera Dil. A specific promotional clip featuring her attempting a classical Bharatanatyam fusion dance move went viral for all the wrong reasons. Netizens ruthlessly dubbed the performance “Nepo Natyam,” contrasting her execution with classic clips of legendary dancers like Sridevi and modern powerhouses like Sai Pallavi. Despite seasoned choreographers and family members jumping to her defense to explain the context of the scene, the internet had already run away with the meme.

On the other side, Janhvi Kapoor found herself facing immense scrutiny over her role in the massive commercial project Peddi, co-starring Ram Charan. While the film achieved massive commercial success—crossing the ₹150 crore mark globally within its opening days—audiences heavily critiqued the writing and portrayal of her female lead. The box office triumph did little to shield Janhvi from critics who argued that her performance lacked the nuance required for such a high-profile role, sparking familiar debates about whether she has truly earned her place at the top of major pan-Indian cinema.

“Seekh Lo Acting”: The Critique from Within

The public discourse reached a boiling point when veteran actor Lalit Parimoo, widely recognized for his iconic roles in Shaktimaan and Haider, weighed in on the star-kid phenomenon during a viral podcast appearance. When asked about the constant criticism faced by actors like Janhvi, Ananya, and Shanaya Kapoor, Parimoo delivered a blunt, unfiltered piece of advice: “Seekh lo acting” (Learn acting).

Parimoo’s commentary struck a massive chord online because it gave a voice to what many audiences feel. He noted that while modern star kids excel at staying relevant through social media presence, high-end fashion choices, and physical appearance, none of those things can substitute for true artistic development. This validation from an industry insider essentially added fuel to the internet’s critical fire.

Why the Trolling Keeps Loop-Cycling

The recurring nature of this trolling highlights a deeper systemic conflict between Bollywood’s casting habits and audience expectations.

• The Exposure Versus Experience Gap: Emerging star kids are often handed demanding, emotionally heavy lead roles right at the start of their careers. While an outsider spends years in theater or minor roles honing their craft away from the spotlight, star kids have to do their “learning on the job” in front of millions of people. Every mistake is magnified, and every sub-par performance is viewed as a wasted opportunity that could have gone to a trained theater actor.
• The Social Media Paradox: Both Janhvi and Ananya boast massive social media followings, regularly sharing glamorous snippets of their lives, brand endorsements, and runway walks. This hyper-visibility creates a double-edged sword. When their off-screen presence looks flawlessly curated but their on-screen performances feel unpolished, audiences feel a disconnect, leading to harsher trolling.
• Selective Praise: Ironically, the internet’s amnesia is part of the problem. Just a short while ago, Ananya Panday received widespread critical acclaim for her grounded, sharp performances in projects like CTRL and Call Me Bae. Yet, a single divisive dance step or an awkward scene can instantly erase that goodwill, resetting the public narrative back to the “untalented nepo kid” stereotype.

The Path Forward

The dynamic between star kids and the audience has fundamentally shifted. Box office numbers alone no longer grant immunity from critique, and a strong Instagram presence cannot mask a weak performance.

While veteran actors like Parimoo point out that stars of the past—like Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan—also faced severe criticism early on and eventually evolved through experience, the modern internet age allows less room to breathe. For Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday, breaking free from the “favorite to troll” cycle will likely require a continuous, undeniable string of powerhouse performances that force the internet to focus on their craft rather than their surnames.