Weekend

In  continuation of my last weekend blog on nepotism and camps prevailing  in Bollywood,  here is next part of my blog

The Kapoor and the Anand family, which I had mentioned last week, were part of the camps that existed in the early days of post independence era.  The fact is that some great talent emerged from these camps and there were some from these camps who just faded away. After the 1960s there was lull in family nepotism in Bollywood but in 1980s this phenomenon started again. Few of the examples of the entrant who came to Bollywood through nepotism;

1 Kumar Gaurav- son of Rajendra Kumar, who was launched by his father in home production Love Story (1981). This film was a super duper hit, and Kumar Gaurav’s career took off and he signed so many films, but none of his films were successful at box office. 1n 1987 his father tried to re launch him film called Naam, but although film was successful , but  his career did no get any boost. On the contrary, this film boosted the career Sanjay Dutt, who was also making his come back after his drug de addiction programme. After 1987 Kumar Gaurav acted in few film but could never establish himself. Because he was star son he got multiple chance  but he failed in the end

2 Sanjay Dutt- son of legendary actors Nargis and Sunil Dutt, also launched by his father in home production Rocky (1981). The film was average success at box office. Sanjay Dutt got few films after this due to nepotism, but as he was involved with drugs during this phase all his films flopped and his father got him admitted to de addiction centre in USA. As mentioned above he got himself back with Naam, and was doing quite well then in 1993 his name was linked with terrorist attack of Mumbai, after Babri Masjid demolition. He was charge sheeted in TADA case and spent more than one and half year in jail, till he was released on bail. Just because of his status of star son, he again started getting films and was quite successful. After the case verdict he got 7 years jail term, and even after finishing jail term his career was back, because of Nepotism and camps of Bollywood. Friends, you must have heard about actor called Shiney Ahuja, in the last decade he was quite popular. He was charge sheeted as his maid accused him of rape, he was also jailed came out on bail, but as he was not star son his career was over there and there only.

3 Suuny Deol- son of legendary actor Dharmendra. He was also launched in home production Betaab (1983). The film was super hit, and his career took off from there. He is still continuing acting in few movies produce by his home banner or produce by his friends even after 37 years, he survived because he could act in certain kind of roles. But Dharmendra’s other son Bobby Deol who was launched in home production Barsaat (1996). After that his career never achieved the heights as compared to his brother Sunny. But because of nepotism he continues to get some films and still active in a smaller way. Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol also tried her hand in acting, but was not quite successful and after almost more than a decade, she left Bollywood, got married and settled down. This year Sunny’s son Karan Deol was also launched in home production Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, but film flopped miserably. It will be no surprise that he may get chances in future because of his family name.

4 Aamir Khan- son of producer Tahir Hussain and nephew of producer/director Nassir Hussain. Although he had acted in few unknown films, but it was his uncle’s film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak which gave him fame. Just because he was from filmi family he got this break, as he had no personality, being short person (not even 5’ 6’’ tall) he was no hero material. But as actor he proved himself in his subsequent films, and he is one of biggest star/actor of Bollywood now. He has also become producer and director. But his younger brother Faisal Khan, who was also launched  with home production could not establish and faded after few films.

5 Salman Khan-He is son of film writer Salim Khan ( Salim Javed duo). His case is similar to Aamir, he started his career as side actor in film called Biwi Ho To Aisi(1988). But it was Maine Pyar kiya (1989) which made him star. After few trails he established himself in certain kind of roles and hardly given a flop film. He also does not have a great height, but because of nepotism/camps he survived even in his bad phase.

6 Hrithik Roshan- son of actor/producer/director Rakesh Roshan. He took the nation by storm with his first film Kaho Na Pyar Hai (1980), produced/directed by his father. He showed his talent from his first film only and has never looked back, after initial hiccups in 2001/02. He is considered as one of the finest actors of Bollywood, who are active now.

7 Saif Ali Khan- son of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, although he was not launched by his family, no body remembers even his first film, he also got multiple chances to prove his talent because of his mother’s name. After many trials and errors he could anyhow established himself, and is still working. His daughter Sara Ali Khan  from his first wife actress Amrita Singh, is also acting in Bollywood now, she was launched by friendly banner in film called Kedarnath (1988), she is just 2 films old now, and shown good potential

There are many other star children who could not established themselves after given many chances. I am mentioning few like – Uday Chopra (son of producer/director Yash Chopra), Harman Baweja (son of producer Harry Baweja), Pakikshit Sahni (son of Balraj Sahni), Shamita Shetty (sister of Shilpa Shetty) and many more.

There is still to write on this topic, will continue next week on the same.

Waiting for your comments/views/feed backs.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

3^rd July 2020.