Why Actors Are Walking Away From Talent Agencies

Janhvi Kapoor has recently ended her long-standing association with Karan Johar’s talent agency, Dharma Cornerstone Artist Agency (DCAA), and signed with Collective Artist Network, which represents stars such as Deepika Padukone and Rashmika Mandanna.The move drew attention because Jahnvi had remained with Dharma since her launch and was widely seen as one of the production house’s key protégés. What does this shift indicate? What’s evident is Jahnvi’s career hasn’t really taken off and films by Dhrama are flopping too.According to an informed industry source, the actor is currently in a “career audit” phase. “Given the recent performance of her films, she is looking to rebuild an identity beyond inherited labels and align with a management team that offers a wider spectrum of representation,” the source said. Others within the industry and online also speculated whether the decision was influenced by Dharma’s recent lull at the box office.Dharma Cornerstone Agency — a joint venture between Karan Johar and Bunty Sajdeh — was launched in 2020 and quickly became one of the industry’s most influential talent management outfits. In 2025, the company rebranded as DCAA following Sajdeh’s exit. Its current roster includes Ananya Panday, Tiger Shroff, Sara Ali Khan, Rohit Saraf, and Lakshya, among others.Move on for better opportunitiesFilm critic Joginder Tuteja believes such moves should not be overread. “It’s really not about branding or labelling. Actors change agencies just as people move on from jobs or organisations. Everyone looks at their best interests to advance their careers. It’s a two-way agreement. You work together, create good outcomes, and if a better prospect emerges, you move on.”Yash Raj Films’ talent arm too has seen several high-profile exits in recent years, the most notable being Ranveer Singh, who ended his 12-year association with the studio in 2022. Launched by YRF in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), Singh’s exit was widely described as amicable, driven by his desire to take greater control of his career. Actors such as Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra and Bhumi Pednekar have also parted ways with the studio after formative stints.Film analyst Girish Wankhede explains that talent agencies play a critical — but often complicated — role in shaping careers. “Agencies typically launch actors by securing initial roles, introducing them to industry networks, and guiding early decisions. In return, actors often shoulder significant costs, as contracts are structured around recoupment — sometimes at the actor’s expense.”Agencies are controllingAn actor, speaking on condition of anonymity, describes the relationship as constricting. “It’s stifling. You can’t explore beyond their rules, and you’re never indispensable. If your films don’t work, attention shifts to someone newer or more influential. It’s toxic, but also a necessary evil. In today’s corporate-driven industry, you can’t survive without backing.”The agency–star relationship is often likened to a marriage. In reality, it is closer to a co-dependent arrangement where power is rarely equal and someone is always calling the shots. Aryan Khan’s recent series The Bads of Bollywood took pointed jabs at an industry label known for rigid three-film contracts and the professional consequences that follow.This impulse to reassess representation is not limited to actors. Indian musicians, particularly in the streaming era, have also loosened their dependence on traditional labels. Playback singer Arijit Singh stepped back from label-driven churn to focus on selective collaborations and creative control, while artists like Badshah have spoken openly about restrictive contracts and the need for ownership.“Once actors establish themselves, they often begin to resent clauses or decisions that cost them major opportunities,” says Wankhede. “Missing out on a key role or struggling after a contract ends can be a turning point. At that stage, many artists assert greater control — building personal teams of managers, legal advisors, PR professionals, or even launching boutique production companies.”For a new generation of actors, the question is no longer who launches them, but who stays relevant once they are launched. In that sense, the churn across talent agencies may not signal instability — but a growing confidence to chart careers beyond inherited loyalties.



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