Filmmaker Karan Johar has described talent management as a “thankless job” following reports that actress Janhvi Kapoor has ended her association with his agency.
Janhvi was previously represented by Dharma Cornerstone Artist Company (DCAA), co-founded by Johar. She has now reportedly signed with Collective Artists Network, which represents actors including Deepika Padukone and Rashmika Mandanna.
Karan Johar on Actors Switching Agencies
In a recent interview, Johar addressed the broader trend of actors frequently changing representation.
He stated that loyalty is rare in the business and described a cycle where artists move between agencies due to professional insecurity.
“Nobody is loyal in this business; actors just keep hopping and skipping,” he said, adding that after investing years in nurturing talent, agencies often see them move elsewhere — only to sometimes return later.
He characterised the pattern as a “vicious circle.”
‘Actors Are Nobody’s’
Johar further remarked that relying solely on commission-based earnings from artists is financially unsustainable for agencies.
According to him, many firms are now exploring equity-based partnerships with artists as a more stable business model.
“Just commission on artists is going to give you nothing because artists are nobody’s,” he said, stressing that talent management involves more emotional labour than financial reward.
He noted that much of the job involves handling egos and insecurities, describing it as challenging and demanding.
Janhvi Kapoor’s Exit Sparks Discussion
Janhvi’s move has drawn attention because she had been associated with Johar’s banner since her debut.
Industry observers have speculated about the reasons behind the shift, particularly amid broader conversations about career strategies and evolving talent management dynamics in Bollywood.
However, neither party has publicly indicated any dispute.
Not an Isolated Trend
The churn in talent representation is not limited to one agency.
Yash Raj Films’ talent arm has also seen prominent exits over the years. Notably, Ranveer Singh ended his long association with YRF Talent in 2022, despite debuting with the banner in Band Baaja Baaraat.
Actors such as Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, and Bhumi Pednekar have also reportedly moved on from YRF’s talent division.
Karan Johar on Career Perspective
Reflecting on his three-decade-long journey in the industry, Johar said he has learned to detach personal happiness from professional highs and lows.
He emphasised that success and failure cannot dictate emotional well-being in an unpredictable business like cinema.
