No Quotas in Bollywood, Yet Stars Mostly from Upper Castes – Here’s Why

By Sharad Rai

It is a reality of the cinema world that while actresses shine on screen in various roles, off-screen, most of them come from upper-caste backgrounds. Rather than getting into controversy over this, let’s take a look at which actresses belong to which caste origin.

Some of today’s most popular actresses include Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Shraddha Kapoor, Kajol, Kangana Ranaut, Kareena Kapoor, and others. If we trace back a little, even Madhuri Dixit’s caste background connects her to her stardom.

Madhuri Dixit’s surname itself reflects her caste. She is a high-born Brahmin girl. When she entered films, some orthodox people had objected to her acting.

Among today’s top actresses, Deepika Padukone, who commands her terms in the industry, is from a Brahmin family. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and hails from a Saraswat Brahmin family. Similarly, Shraddha Kapoor comes from a Marathi Brahmin family. Born in Mumbai, her father is Shakti Kapoor, and her mother Shivangi Kolhapure belongs to a Brahmin family. Shivangi’s mother was a Saraswat Brahmin, and her father was related to Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

Alia Bhatt, daughter of renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan, also comes from a Brahmin lineage. Mahesh Bhatt’s ancestors, including Nanu Bhai Bhatt, were Gujarati Brahmins. Alia is a Brahmin girl who has now become a star and also the daughter-in-law of the Kapoor family.
Kangana Ranaut, who has recently also become an MP, was born in Bhambala, Himachal Pradesh. Kangana belongs to the Rajput Kshatriya caste. While caste may not appear as an issue in the film industry, her caste background came into focus when she entered politics.

Kajol’s mother Tanuja and aunt Nutan come from the Maharashtrian Samarth family, and her grandmother, Shobhana Samarth, was also an actress. Kajol’s father belongs to the famous Bengali Mukherjee family.

Kareena Kapoor is the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor. The prestige of this family is well-known; the Khatris in Bollywood were considered kings, and later many non-Kapoors also adopted the Kapoor name to assert prominence.

Anushka Sharma was born in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, into a Sharma Brahmin family. Today, she is the wife of cricketer Virat Kohli. Kiara Advani was born in Mumbai into a Sindhi family. Katrina Kaif’s father is a Kashmiri Muslim, and her mother is a Catholic from Hong Kong. Katrina once said in an interview that she is fully Indian. Kriti Sanon was born in New Delhi into a Hindu Khatri family. Disha Patani was born in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh; she is Hindu and belongs to the Rajput Kshatriya caste. Bhumi Pednekar comes from a Maharashtrian Hindu background, while Taapsee Pannu is Sikh Jat. Yami Gautam hails from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and is a Hindu Brahmin.

In short, the majority of leading actresses in Bollywood belong to upper-caste families. While it is often said that there is no discrimination and no caste math in Bollywood, the picture shows a different reality.

The aim here is not to promote caste thinking in the film industry but to emphasize the principle of “Jati Na Poocho Sadhu Ki” – which should ideally apply in the industry too. Even if it is just for appearances, that is how it should remain.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

1. Is there any caste-based quota or reservation in Bollywood?

No, Bollywood has no formal caste-based quota or reservation. Opportunities depend on networks, visibility, and industry access rather than policy.

2. Why are most Bollywood stars from upper-caste backgrounds?

Bollywood’s elite networks, family legacies, and social privilege often favor upper-caste actors, keeping the industry dominated by a select social group.

3. Are new filmmakers addressing caste diversity in Bollywood?

Yes, recent filmmakers are breaking barriers by casting diverse talents and bringing caste issues to screen through films like Article 15 and Jhund.

4. Has caste representation improved in Bollywood in 2025?

In 2025, representation is improving slowly, with more regional and Dalit voices emerging through OTT platforms and independent cinema.

5. Why is caste bias rarely discussed openly in Bollywood?

Many avoid discussing caste due to fear of backlash and image concerns, though social media is now pushing the topic into mainstream conversation.

6. Are there any actors from Dalit or backward communities in Bollywood?

Yes, a few have made it through sheer talent, but they remain underrepresented compared to upper-caste or film-family backgrounds.

7. How do OTT platforms affect caste representation in Indian cinema?

OTT platforms are reshaping inclusivity by offering space to new creators and actors from marginalized communities without relying on old networks.

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