Dharma Productions Announces New Film Chand Mera Dil Amid Nepotism Controversy

Dharma Productions, led by Karan Johar, recently revealed its upcoming project—a romantic drama titled Chand Mera Dil. Set for a 2025 release, the film stars Ananya Panday and Lakshya, under the direction of Vivek Soni. Johar shared the news with fans on Instagram, unveiling four posters from the film. He captioned them with, “We have two chands ready to bring an intense & passionate love story like no other!!! Pyaar mein thoda paagal hona hi padta hai...Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday & Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni. Coming to cinemas in 2025.”

The posters showcased the leads, Ananya and Lakshya, in romantic settings, aiming to capture the essence of the film’s intense love story. While some fans eagerly anticipated the project, a wave of backlash surfaced over the casting choice, which reignited longstanding debates about nepotism in Bollywood. Commenters criticized the casting of Ananya, daughter of actor Chunky Panday, and Lakshya, suggesting that Bollywood continues to prioritize "star kids" over new talent. One social media user wrote, “Always the same face for lead roles  Relatives cast everywhere,” while another remarked, “Karan will never learn not to use nepos.”

However, the cast also drew positive responses from fans looking forward to Ananya’s return to the screen, especially after her recent appearances in CTRL and Call Me Bae. CTRL, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, explored themes of AI and social media, while Call Me Bae followed a wealthy Delhi girl’s adventures in Mumbai. Lakshya, meanwhile, was last seen in Kill, also produced by Dharma Productions.

In a significant development for the production house, Dharma Productions has also secured a strategic partnership with Indian pharmaceutical tycoon Adar Poonawalla. Through this deal, Poonawalla’s Serene Productions invested $119 million, gaining a 50-percent stake in the company, with Johar retaining the remaining share and continuing as executive chairman. The investment marks a potential boost for the Bollywood film industry, which has faced challenges in audience engagement in recent years.