He's at it again. Bollywood producer and director Karan Johar has introduced another star's daughter into the industry. Johar, who was once called "the flag-bearer of nepotism in Bollywood" by actress Kangana Ranaut, has confirmed Shanaya Kapoor will join his talent management outfit Dharma Cornerstone Agency, and star in a film from his production company Dharma Productions.
"Welcome to the #DCASquad, @shanayakapoor02! It's going to be an unforgettable and exciting journey that begins with your first film with @DharmaMovies, this July," Johar posted on Instagram, along with portraits of the soon-to-be actress, 21, and a glamorous video.
"Her enthusiasm, perseverance and diligence is so amazing to see. Join us in showering your love & blessings as she begins her first film," the producer said.
Who is Shanaya Kapoor?
When it comes to film pedigree, Shanaya is as Bollywood as it gets. Her father is Sanjay Kapoor, who starred in a number of films in the 1990s. Her uncle is Anil Kapoor, who acted in Slumdog Millionaire and is one of the most well-known faces in Indian cinema.
Many of her cousins are already established actors, including Janhvi Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Boney Kapoor, another uncle, is a hotshot producer and the husband of the late actress Sridevi, the mother of Janhvi.
Are you keeping up?
Shanaya's mother Maheep recently made her TV debut with the hit Netflix reality show The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives – produced by Johar – which is already prepped for a second season.
She has a younger brother, Jahaan, who is also being groomed for Bollywood.
She is friends with all the children of the rich and famous
Shanaya is a paparazzi favourite, especially when she’s hanging with her friends, many of whom are famous names.
Her squad includes Suhana Khan, the daughter of superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, and Ananya Panday, who was launched by Johar in 2019.
Panday is the daughter of actor Chunky Pandey and Bhavana Pandey, who is also in The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives.
Navya Naveli Nanda, the daughter of author Shweta Bachchan Nanda (who herself is the daughter of Indian acting legend Amitabh Bachchan), is also one of her best friends.
“My babygirl. Kill it Shanicakes!” posted Ananya Panday following the announcement.
“Oh my god, love you so much,” said Suhana Khan.
The nepotism debate
Bollywood has recently been rocked by accusations of nepotism, with some alleging that it was one of the reasons behind actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death by suicide in 2020.
For many years, the industry has been locked in an "insider" versus "outsider" debate, with the latter claiming Bollywood is run by a group of film dynasties whose sole interest is promoting their own.
On social media, some of the comments about Shanaya Kapoor’s arrival echoed those sentiments.
“Bollywood be so unexpected,” comedian Abijit Ganguly tweeted.
“Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor, who came from Bollywood family but still was a struggler, gets a go directly with Karan Johar movie. Peak Nepotism,” another user posted.
“Hollywood has Justice League, Avengers League, Bollywood has Nepotism League,” said another.
Shanaya has been preparing for her big day
While it's still unclear which film Johar will launch Shanaya with, we know she's been preparing for her big day behind the scenes.
She was credited as assistant director in the film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, starring her cousin Janhvi Kapoor, which is now streaming on Netflix.
In 2019, she attended Le Bal in Paris, a high-society event held annually where young women from reputed families around the world make their social debuts in couture ensembles. Her preparation for the event is extensively documented in The Fabulous Wives of Bollywood Lives.
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
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Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
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Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler
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Matt Kuchar, Kevin Chappell
Charley Hoffman*, Phil Mickelson*
International Team
Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day
Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen
Marc Leishman, Charl Schwartzel
Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim
Jhonattan Vegas, Adam Hadwin
Emiliano Grillo*, Anirban Lahiri*
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Volvo ES90 Specs
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Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
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The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Two stars
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SPECS
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