In Bollywood, lineage often opens the doors of opportunity, but sustaining stardom requires more than just a famous surname. The film industry has witnessed legends who ruled the silver screen for decades, creating enduring legacies. Yet, their sons, despite glittering debuts and the weight of public expectation, failed to live up to the standard set by their illustrious fathers. While some daughters of veterans successfully carved their own space, the sons of certain stalwarts could not replicate their fathers’ achievements. Their films faltered at the box office, their performances drew little acclaim, and their careers ended in disappointment, leaving behind only reminders of what might have been. (News18 Hindi)
Dev Anand and Sunil Anand: Dev Anand, hailed as Bollywood’s “evergreen hero”, mesmerised audiences with his unique charm and timeless films such as Guide and Jewel Thief. (News18 Hindi)
When his son, Sunil Anand, entered films in 1984 with Anand Aur Anand, the expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, the film was a box-office disaster. His subsequent attempts, including Car Thief and Main Tere Liye, also failed, ending his acting journey prematurely. (News18 Hindi)
Rajendra Kumar and Kumar Gaurav: Rajendra Kumar, often called the “Jubilee Kumar” for his string of silver jubilee hits, enjoyed enormous popularity in the 1960s and 70s. His son Kumar Gaurav’s debut, Love Story (1981), turned him into an overnight star. (News18 Hindi)
Yet, the early success became his undoing. None of his later films matched the debut’s impact. Even the hit Naam (1986) brought recognition only to Sanjay Dutt, overshadowing Gaurav. Today, he has distanced himself from cinema and runs a business in the Maldives. (News18 Hindi)
Manoj Kumar and Kunal Goswami: The “Bharat Kumar” of Indian cinema, Manoj Kumar, was celebrated for patriotic roles in films like Upkar and Purab Aur Paschim. His son, Kunal Goswami, debuted opposite Sridevi in Kalakar (1983). Despite the backing, his films failed to strike a chord with audiences. After a string of flops, he walked away from acting altogether and is now engaged in business in Delhi. (News18 Hindi)
Jeetendra and Tusshar Kapoor: Jeetendra, the “Jumping Jack” of Bollywood, was one of the most bankable stars of the 70s and 80s. His daughter, Ekta Kapoor, found remarkable success in television, but son Tusshar Kapoor could not replicate the same in films. His debut, Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai (2001), opposite Kareena Kapoor, won him awards, but the promise soon faded. Over the years, Tusshar delivered more than a dozen flops, despite occasional appearances in ensemble films like Golmaal. (News18 Hindi)
Mithun Chakraborty and Mimoh Chakraborty: Mithun Chakraborty, the original “disco dancer”, remains a household name in India. But his son Mahaakshay, known as Mimoh, had a disastrous debut with Jimmy (2008). In spite of his father’s efforts to revive his career, Mimoh has struggled for more than a decade without a single hit to his credit. (News18 Hindi)
Raj Kumar and Puru Raj Kumar: Known for his booming voice and cult dialogues beginning with “Jaani”, Raj Kumar’s presence lit up classics such as Waqt, Pakeezah and Saudagar. His son, Puru Raj Kumar, entered films with Bal Brahmachari (1996), which sank without a trace. Despite acting in several projects including Mission Kashmir, LOC Kargil and Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, he never managed to establish himself as a leading man and eventually faded away from the industry. (News18 Hindi)
