How does one go through life with a famous last name, whether it is Kennedy or Kapoor? For the Bollywood breed, as with any other career, children of established professionals are sometimes pressured, or at least nudged to pursue their parents’ craft. Plus, growing up in the movie-making world is enough to inspire them to want to try it for themselves!
Bollywood has witnessed the success of acting families for decades. Sunny and Bobby Deol have spent years building their movie careers, as have Karisma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan. They’ve had to work hard and continuously to prove that they can perform at the same level as their sparkling lineage. When your father is Dharmendra or Amitabh, the harsh light of judgment is always on, waiting to see if you explode with success or implode with failure. Saif Ali Khan, son of yesteryear beauty Sharmila Tagore, has weathered the storm of disappointment and flops. He has now emerged as a commanding presence of talent and good looks, with successes like Kal Ho Na Ho, and Parineeta. Now, we’ve recently seen the success of his sister, Soha Ali Khan in Rang De Basanti. Even superstar Hritik Roshan has had to contend with the impressive career of his actor-director father Rakesh Roshan. It is an unending battle to stay afloat in the industry. People are always waiting to pick them apart, gossip about their behavior, and raise an eyebrow at their prominent parents.
Many popular Bollywood stars have descended from famous actors and have succeeded in carving a place for themselves; so there is hope for newcomers who have illustrious relatives. Besides Saif, Hritik, and Karisma, others like Kareena Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, and Esha Deol have all been starry-eyed novices who have persevered in movies. At first, they may have had a harder time getting noticed when directors are skeptical about taking chances. They have had to prove that they can separate themselves from their renowned relatives in terms of look and performance. Though, they might have had an easier time getting a foot in the door because of their family connections and contacts. Nevertheless, star kin are making their way into Bollywood and hoping to make their parents proud.
Some notable newcomers: Ahana Deol, another blossom of the Deol family tree, is considering directing. She has been recognized in stage shows alongside her renowned mother and sister for years now. Siddharth Anand, nephew of actor-director Tinnu Anand, has made a successful leap into directing with 2005’s Salaam Namaste. The same goes for Mohit Suri, nephew of writer-director Mahesh Bhatt, who broke out with the super hit Zeher. Now it’s Zoya Akhtar’s time to shine in her directorial debut of Luck by Chance (2007). Let’s see if the influence of her eminent parents, lyricist Javed Akhtar and writer Honey Irani prove to be beneficial for her.
Continuing the Kapoor legacy is Sonam, daughter of veteran actor Anil Kapoor, and Ranbir, son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. They were both assistants to director Sanjay Leela Bansali during the making of Black, and they will team up with him in front of the camera in 2006’s Saawariya opposite Salman Khan and Rani. Another star successor, Sikhander Kher (son of Anupam and Kiron Kher) is dabbling in acting as well. Karan Khanna, nephew of Vinod Khanna, made his debut next to Bollywood bombshells Rekha and Mallika Sherawat in Bachke Rehna Re Baba, and can be seen in Yun Hota To Kya Hota. Sonya Jehan, granddaughter of famous Pakistani singer and actress Noor Jehan, made her movie debut in Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story after starting out as a model in Pakistan.
Even though these beginners will have a lot to struggle with in the competitive world of Bollywood movies, they can count on their star relatives to offer the best advice and encouragement to ensure their success.