Nov 23 2015

Just like Daddy: 13 star kids who followed their fathers to the big screen

by   Sonal Pandya

The Deols, Kapoors and Bachchans are familiar, of course. But here are 13 lesser-known star kids who wanted to do what their daddies did.

1 Dev Anand and Suneil Anand

Dev Anand, along with his brothers Chetan and Vijay, created Navketan Films and some of Hindi cinema's most iconic films like Guide (1965) and Jewel Thief (1967). He directed his son Suneil in his film debut, Anand Aur Anand (1984). While Suneil didn't find much success as an actor, he has moved onto direction since 2001 and currently runs the family banner.

2 Jeevan and Kiran Kumar

Jeevan started playing the mischievous Narad Muni in countless Hindi films before transforming himself onscreen in each villainous role he played from Naya Daur (1957) to Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). His son Kiran Kumar, a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), also made a mark as a villain like his father before him in films like Tezaab (1988) and Khuda Gawah (1992). He continues to act in television and in films such as Bobby Jasoos (2014) and Brothers (2015).

3 Jagdeep and Jaaved Jafri

Jagdeep began his acting career as child artiste and eventually became known as a comedian especially after his roles in Do Bigha Zamin (1953) and Brahmachari (1968). Today he is remembered as Soorma Bhopali from Sholay (1975). His son Jaaved Jafri worked across many platforms after his film debut in Subhash Ghai's Meri Jung (1985). Known as an accomplished dancer, Jafri has played most roles onscreen from best friend to comedian to villain, even voicing an animated character in the Yash Raj Films and Disney co-production, Roadside Romeo (2008).

4 Balraj Sahni and Parikshit Sahni

Lecturer, BBC radio announcer and Indian People Theatre Association (IPTA) alumnus, Balraj Sahni had quite a number of accomplishments on his resume before he acted in some of India's classics such as Do Bigha Zamin (1953) and Waqt (1965). His son Parikshit made his film debut in Asit Sen's Anokhi Raat (1968) starring Sanjeev Kumar and since then has appeared in the role of the father in numerous films like 3 Idiots (2009) and P.K. (2014).

5 Raaj Kumar and Puru Raj Kumar

Raaj Kumar is famous in Hindi cinema for his legendary delivery of dialogues in Dil Ek Mandir (1963) and Waqt (1965). Therefore, his son Puru Raj Kumar had quite the reputation to live up to when he debuted in Bal Brahmachari (1996), directed by Prakash Mehra and co-starring another famous offspring, Karishma Kapoor. Since then, he has continued to appear in small roles in films like Mission Kashmir (2000), LOC Kargil (2003) and most recently in Prabhu Deva's Action Jackson (2014).

6 Shashi Kapoor and Karan Kapoor

A recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award just like his father and brother, Prithiviraj and Raj, Shashi Kapoor carved out his own identity with his forays onscreen into acting, production, and direction as well as maintaining Prithvi Theatres, the Mumbai theatre built in memory of his father, with his wife, Jennifer Kendal. All his three children gave a Hindi cinema a go, most people remember films like Vijeta (1982) and Hero Hiralal (1988) starring Kunal and his sister Sanjana respectively. His second son Karan also entered Hindi films, debuting in Sultanat (1986) opposite Juhi Chawla. He modeled for a few Indian brands like Bombay Dyeing and currently works as a photographer based out of London.

7 Kishore Kumar and Amit Kumar

Kishore Kumar followed his elder brother, Ashok Kumar, to Mumbai and began acting in films like Andolan (1951) and Aasha (1957). As more and more music composers began using his voice for the top heroes of the day like Dev Anand and Raj Khanna, he shifted his focus towards playback singing. His son, Amit Kumar, also became a playback singer like his father, not before appearing a few home productions like Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein (1964) and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982).

8 Jagdish Raj and Anita Raj

Jagdish Raj was known in Hindi cinema as the quintessential law enforcement officer in films like Johny Mera Naam (1970) and Deewaar (1975). Raj was a police officer in a record 144 films. His daughter Anita Raj made her Hindi film debut with Prem Geet (1981) opposite Raj Babbar but never quite managed to find success on the big screen despite appearing in over 50 films. She was a part of the cast of the Indian remake of the Fox television series 24 in 2013.

9 Om Shivpuri and Ritu Shivpuri

Veteran thespian Om Shivpuri acted in several famed Hindi films such as Namak Haraam (1973), Don (1978) and Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981). A graduate of the National School of Drama, he and his wife Sudha Shivpuri helped set up the school's Repertory Company in 1964. His daughter Ritu debuted in David Dhawan's Aankhen (1993) co-starring Govinda, Chunky Pandey and Raageshwari, one of the biggest hits that year. Since then, she appeared in a handful of Hindi and regional films and occasionally on the small screen as well.

10 Kabir Bedi and Pooja Bedi

Theatre and film actor Kabir Bedi has worked in projects all over the world, from the West End production of The Far Pavilions to playing a villain's henchman in Octopussy (1983). He has appeared occasionally in Hindi films like Main Hoon Na (2004), Kites (2010) and Dilwale (2015). His daughter Pooja acted a few films in the 1990s, most notably in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992) as the object of Aamir Khan's affection, and was last seen in the hugely popular reality show Bigg Boss as a contestant in 2011.

11 Murad and Raza Murad

The character actor Murad made his film debut in Mehboob Khan's Najma (1943) and went on to act in other Khan productions Andaz (1949) and Aan (1952). Towards the latter part of his career, he was mostly seen on the big screen as a judge or commissioner of police in films like Manoranjan (1974) and Shahenshah (1988). His son Raza Murad has appeared in double the number of films as his father. With his booming voice, he has played the head of law enforcement or politics in countless films. He was most recently seen onscreen in Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013) and Ungli (2014).

12 Johnny Lever and Jamie Lever

A celebrated comedian, Johnny Lever is as well-known on the stage performing his material as he is stealing the show from big name stars in over 350 films. Lever was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role thirteen times until the category was abolished in 2007; he won it twice, in 1998 for Deewana Mastana and in 1999 for Dulhe Raja. His daughter Jamie is succeeding her father, both as a stand-up comedian and also an actor with her first film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon (2015).

13 Mehmood and Lucky Ali

One of Hindi cinema's legendary comedians and actors, Mehmood was the son of character actor Mumtaz Ali who was also known for his dancing. Mumtaz Ali introduced his son to films as child; Mehmood appeared as the young Ashok Kumar in the 1943 blockbuster, Kismet. He holds the Filmfare record for most number for Best Performance in Comic Role with nineteen nominations for films like Bombay to Goa (1973) to Khud-Daar (1983). His son Lucky Ali has released several popular pop albums and even sung for the soundtracks of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) and Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008). He acted in a few films as a child before taking on lead roles in Sur: The Melody of Life (2002) and Kasak (2005).