Bollywood has always been synonymous with glitz, glamour, and exclusivity. Beyond dazzling premieres, red carpet events, and award functions, a world of high-profile parties exists where networking is said to be just as crucial as talent. For decades, these Page 3 parties have served as breeding grounds for deals, friendships, and career launches. But how vital are these gatherings for making it in the industry? Can an outsider truly become an insider just by attending them? Or is it a carefully curated illusion, where connections matter more than credentials?
The Bollywood Party Circuit
Parties in Bollywood are not just about celebration; they serve as informal yet powerful networking hubs. These events bring together actors, directors, producers, casting agents, fashion designers, and media personnel, creating a space where relationships are formed and reinforced. Unlike traditional corporate networking—where one might exchange business cards over coffee—in Bollywood, it’s about sharing drinks, engaging in casual conversations, and forming personal bonds that often translate into professional opportunities.
A-listers like Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and major production houses host some of the industry’s most exclusive gatherings. A single invitation to such an event can open doors, offering struggling actors, writers, and filmmakers the chance to rub shoulders with decision-makers. But does merely being present at these parties guarantee success?
“Whether 20 Years Ago or Today, the Page 3 Scene Is All About Networking”
Four-time National Award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, known for films like Chandni Bar, Page 3, Traffic Signal, Fashion, and Heroine, shared his perspective with ETimes, “See, I’ll tell you honestly—back then and even now, nothing has changed. Today, a lot of people still go through the same process. Earlier, PR managers and event organizers would take you to parties and functions, ensuring you were seen at the right places. Even today, it’s the same. The only difference is that things have shifted from print media to the digital world.
“Try to understand—earlier, we would wait until morning, around 6:30 or 7:00 AM, to see who attended which event, what they wore, and what happened. That was the influence behind Page 3. Coming from a middle-class family, I tasted success with my debut film and started attending these parties. That’s when I realized how this world functions—how people from different backgrounds, including politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, Bollywood personalities, fashion designers, and aspiring actors, all come under one roof.
“I was fascinated by how quickly networking took place and how influential these social gatherings were. Since 2001, I have regularly attended such parties and events, and I still feel nothing has changed. The party circuit remains active, and people still call you for events. In fact, there are even more award functions now—so many that we can’t even keep track of them.”
When asked whether newcomers still benefit from attending these parties, Bhandarkar affirmed, “Yes, absolutely. Whether 20 years ago or today, the Page 3 scene and party circuits are all about networking. People attend these gatherings for various reasons—it could be for film deals, business collaborations, socializing, or just making connections. These events take different forms: Holi parties, birthday celebrations, award functions, or even casual social gatherings. Networking has always been an essential part of this circuit.
“If an aspiring actor or actress enters the film industry and wants to connect with a producer, director, or influential person, where will they do that? They can’t just stand on the street and network; they have to be in these social circles where the industry gathers. Even today, people gatecrash events or tag along with someone, requesting, ‘Take me to that party.’ That aspect hasn’t changed.
“However, what has changed is the rise of influencers and digital media. Today, influencers play a huge role. Event organizers and PR teams reach out to them and ask them to bring in celebrities, models, or prominent figures. These influencers then post about the event, creating buzz. The process is the same, but the medium has evolved.
“Previously, we waited 24 hours for newspapers to cover an event. Now, everything is instant. The shift from print to digital has made things more aggressive. People sitting in small towns or villages can also become influencers. Even Bollywood stars now sit down for interviews with social media influencers who have millions of followers.”
“I Don’t Think a Party Is the Right Environment to Truly Break Ground”
Actor Tanuj Virwani, son of veteran actress Rati Agnihotri, has carved his niche in the industry but holds a different perspective on Bollywood’s networking culture, “I’ve never been one to attend so-called
Bollywood parties
for the purpose of networking. Of course, I have friends in the industry, so if they have a release, an event, or a celebration, I’ll be there. But I’ll be there as a friend—not to use it as a ladder for social climbing. It’s important to differentiate your social life from your professional life.
“I believe staying connected with casting directors, agencies, directors, and people you aspire to work with is far more important. And I don’t think a party is the right environment to truly break ground there. At the end of the day, my work is my best—and my only—audition.”
Virwani emphasizes that while networking matters, being part of a particular clique can be limiting, “If you become part of a particular clique, you end up boxing yourself in. That then becomes your bubble, and you operate only within its realm. Sure, these groups may provide good opportunities, but I’m a free-spirited person. I just go along for the ride. A career in this industry will always ebb and flow, and it depends on a lot of external factors as well.”
“The Real Contrast Between Then & Now”
Screenwriter Nina Arora
, recipient of the National Film Award for Page 3, believes that networking is not just about being seen but about meaningful engagement, “Back in the day, it was far easier for even random outliers to gatecrash film events and sets before security concerns became paramount.
“But the real contrast between Then & Now is that earlier, many well-to-do aspirants simply bought or sold their way into Bollywood.
“Remember
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