STARRY PUSH FOR THESE CELEB KIDS
Star parents of Bollywood are showing great interest in their children’s career choices
When it comes to planning their kids’ career, Bollywood parents are no less involved than yours. From helping them make informed choices [about whether or not to join the film industry] to hand-holding them for their big break, the stars are going all out. The focus is on these moms and dads, as a host of star-kids, including Sara Ali Khan, Jhanvi Kapoor and Aryan Khan, are set to enter Hindi cinema.
It was reported that actor Amrita Singh, owing to her friendship with producer Ekta Kapoor, gave daughter Sara’s dates to Ekta’s banner instead of Karan Johar, who wanted to launch Sara in Student of the Year 2 (SOTY 2).
“Either star-kids make a half-hearted attempt, become unsuccessful and resent [their choice] thereafter or their parents disqualify the idea of their children joining films. Or, parents handhold their children to success. All this calls for strategic planning and motivation, and parents play a great role in this,” says Dr Kamal Khurana, relationship expert and mentor for personal transformation. Rewind in time, and Dharmendra’s son Sunny Deol made a protected entry in Bollywood with Betaab (1983), and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan launched son Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai in 2000. “Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor, among others, were kept hidden by their folks as they trained vigorously for their debut films. So it’s only expected that the likes of Sara and Jhanvi get a red-carpet launch,” says film critic Omar Qureshi.
Helping their kids taste success is one thing. But today’s star parents also openly express their joy, worry or displeasure with their children’s decision to join films. Actor Sridevi, whose daughter Jhanvi Kapoor has bagged SOTY 2, had said she’d rather see Jhanvi married. Actor Saif Ali Khan, too, wanted Sara (daughter with ex-wife Amrita Singh) to have a stable profession in New York (Sara studied there) instead. However, he later said that he supports Sara’s decision. “Her choice is great. She is an actress, and belongs to a family of artists.” Actor Shah Rukh Khan, on the other hand, hopes for a grand debut for son Aryan, unlike his first film Deewana (1992), wherein he had a small role. Actor Aamir Khan also said that he’d like it if Ira and Junaid join films, but would only launch them if they “deserve” it, “else they can find acting jobs on their own”.
Family counselor, Dr Gitanjali Sharma, says that celebs no longer shy away supporting their kids’ career irrespective of what people would say. “They are giving their kids that space to grow while protecting them,” she says.
I love my daughter, support her and I think her choice is great... Sara is an actress, and belongs to a family of artists
SAIF ALI KHAN, ACTOR