Flop Sons of Hit Dads Of Bollywood

Every parent wants their children to walk on their footsteps and follow the legacy.Bollywood stars too want their children to make a career in acting and rule the industry the way they did.Bollywood is a piece of cake for star kids. But there are few who enjoy success in the industry and make their own identity. Here are some of the ‘flop sons’ of Bollywood’s ‘hit father’.

Let's start with Dev Anand,whose son Suneil Anand was introduced from the film  Anand aur Anand (1984).could not succeed.Similarly Raj Kapoor's Son Rajeev Kapoor(Chimpu Kapoor) who was introduced in 1983 with Ek Jaan Hain Hum couldn't succeed in films.

Parikshit Sahni- Son of great Balraj Sahni started with 1968 film Anokhi Raat along with Sanjeev Kumar. got  an independent film as Hero in 1970 Pavitra Paapi opposite Tanuja as his heroine could not make it big in Bollywood.Though he worked as Character actor in many films but he was not as successful as his father.He has also appeared in three of Rajkumar Hirani's blockbuster films Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, and PK.

Puru Rajkumar- the son of veteran actor Raj Kumar. He was launched in the 1996 film Bal Bramhachari, which was released only a few months after his father’s death, but unfortunately flopped. After a three-year gap, Puru returned with a negative role in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, which was a hit. He also had a cameo in Mission Kashmir in the same year (2000). But his career went downhill after that .

Kumar Gaurav -Rajendra Kumar's son who made his debut with a super hit film Love Story in 1981.After that he came as hero in many films like Star (1982) Lovers,Romance in 1983,Hum Hain Lajawab, All Rounder and Divorce in 1984.None of his films clicked at Box Office. He has been successfully paired with almost all young ladies of ’80s – Poonam Dillon, Rati Agnihotri, Neelam, Vijeyta Pandit, Madhuri Dixit and Padmini Kolhapure. Yet his pairing with Vijeyta Pandit in their debut movie is still remembered most. His revival project, Phool with the top actress Madhuri Dixit, couldn’t give success though its melodious songs were noticed.He produced his earlier films Janam and Naam, his father tried to revive his career with the 1993 film Phool which also had his father and father-in-law Sunil Dutt in supporting roles. However, it didn't bring him any luck either.

Kunal Kapoor-Son of the late actors Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal,Made his debut with  Ahista Ahista (1981 film) opposite Padmini Kolhapure as well as Vijeta (1982 film).He could not succeed,In 1985, he stopped acting after Trikal to set up his own company, Adfilm-Valas, to producing and direct television commercials. His younger brother Karan Kapoor who got fame from modeling also came in Bollywood with Sultanat (1986) opposite Juhi Chawla as well as later in Loha (1987 film)with Dharmendra but he too could not make it big in bollywood. Karan now runs a photography company in UK.

Kunal Goswami-Made his film debut as a child star in Kranti (1981) which was directed by his father Manoj Kumar. He acted in B-grade movies such as Ghungroo, Kalakaar and Paap Ki Kamee.  His acting didn't take off as well as he would have liked, so he went in to the catering business in Delhi. He decided to give acting a second shot, and his father directed him again in Jai Hind (1999).

Bobby Deol - the son of Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol made  debut with Twinkle Khanna in the 1995 Bollywood film Barsaat, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Deol was awarded the Filmfare Best Debut Award for his role in the 1995 film Barsaat  After that he gave some hit filmslike  Gupt(1997), Soldier (1998), Badal (2000), Bichhoo (2000), Ajnabee (2001), Humraaz (2002), Tango Charlie (2005), Apne (2007), and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011).

Fardeen Khan-Son of famous actor Firoz Khan, Fardeen Khan debuted in Bollywood in 1998 with his movie ‘Prem Agan’. In his 12 years career of Bollywood, he did movies like ‘Jungle’, ‘Pyar Tune Kya Kiya’, ‘Fida’, ‘Dev’, and ‘All the Best’, but most of his movies couldn’t impress audience much.His cousin brother Zayed Khan son of Sanjay Khan  made his screen debut in 2003 in the film Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne,He is known for his performance as Lakshman a.k.a. Lucky in Main Hoon Na (2004), Aditya Singh in Dus (2005), Vikky Khanna in Fight Club - Members Only (2006), Danny Yuvvraaj in Yuvvraaj (2008), and as Sam/Aditya in Blue (2009).

Tusshar Kapoor-son of veteran actor Jeetendra and younger brother to Ekta Kapoor.made his debut with  the blockbuster Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai,(2001).along with Kareena Kapoor.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his work in the film. He then starred as Rahul in coming of age film Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa alongside Esha Deol.He worked in many commercial hits such as Khakee (2004), Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005), Golmaal (2006), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) But he has not made it big.

Rahul Khanna-He is the son of actor Vinod Khanna.He made his feature film debut in Deepa Mehta's 1947 Earth (1999), alongside Aamir Khan. His performance earned him several awards including the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. His younger brother is Akshay Khanna made his acting debut in Bollywood in 1997 with the movie Himalay Putra, which was produced by his father and went without much success at box office.After that a string of unsuccessful films followed such as Mohabbat (1997), Kudrat (1998), Laawaris (1999), Love You Hamesha (1999) and Dahek (1999).followed.In 1999, he starred in Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen; though the film did average business, he was praised for his acting. He next starred in Subhash Ghai's Taal opposite Aishwarya Rai.In 2001, Khanna appeared in Farhan Akhtar's cult classic Dil Chahta Hai. This marked a turning point in his career: the film was a commercial and critical success and Khanna's performance was particularly applauded, later validated by Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2002.

Mimoh Chakraborty- the son of original disco dancer of Bollywood, Mithun Chakraborty. Leave alone not matching up to his father’s  renowned dancing skills, Mimoh’s acting career took a downward spiral after his debut film Jimmy in 2008. The 2013 release Enemmy with father also tanked.

Aarya Babbar-the son of actor turned politician Raj Babbar and theatre personality Nadira Babbar. He started his film career with Raj Kanwar's Ab Ke Baras alongside Amrita Rao in 2002.He has worked with stalwarts like Mani Ratnam, Madhur Bhandarkar and Vikram Bhatt. Also he appeared in films such as Yaar Annmulle, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and Ready.

Pratik Babbar  -The son of late actress Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, he began his career as a production assistant before pursuing an acting career.He made his screen debut with the 2008 film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, and was praised for his performance in the film.Babbar played a variety of roles in 2011, appearing in commercially viable projects such as the crime thriller Dum Maro Dum and the political drama Aarakshan, while drawing the attention of critics for his performances in independent films, including the drama Dhobi Ghat and the romantic comedy My Friend Pinto.

Jagjit Singh - The Maestro Of Ghazals who started his career with Gujarati Songs

Born on 8th Feb 1941 to simple parents in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, Jagjit Singh was initially named, Jagmohan at birth, by his devout Sikh father. At the age of 24 without the knowledge of his family,Singh moved to Bombay to try his luck as playback singer in Bollywood.

Initially he started as a singer of advertising jingles and later progressed to playback singing. However, what is little known about Singh's connection to Gujarati songs is that he sung his first Gujarati song in 1968, at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for Avinash Vyas's composition. This song was sung for Bhavan's 'Song of the Month' produced by Purshottam Upadhyay who paid Singh a sum of Rs250.
'Laagi Ram bhajan ni lagani, ke Ramna... ke Ramna thayi gayi che rag rag ni re bhu…'. This Gujarati song marked ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh's entry into the playback singing world. It was featured in producer Suresh Amin's film Bahuroopi and composer Ajit Merchant gave Jagjit Singh this first break in 1969.The success of this song,Jagjit Singh is said to have sung many songs in Gujarati, so much so that during his performances in Ahmedabad or any other city of Gujarat, tears were found rolling down women's cheeks. He was known to bring words to life as he sang, but when he sang Gujarati bhajans, he was known for connecting people of Gujarat to the Almighty.
In 1969 he married Chitra Dutta and both started singing together.The Unforgettable, which was the couple's first LP, was an unconventional recording and it turned them into stars. The song "Baat Niklegi" from the album achieved great popularity for the Singhs.It was the first time Western Instruments were used in Ghazals.Thereafter, the couple worked both on solo and joint musical projects and performed concerts worldwide.
The popularity of the couple attracted Hindi film Industry.The couple sang for the first time in the 1973 film Awishkar b kar do:ut Jagjit Singh got famous among Hindi Film Audience with the song Hontho se chhoo lo tum mera geet amar from the 1981 film Prem Geet in which he gave the music also.In 1982 he sang in 2 films,Saath Saath and Arth.The song "Tum Ko Dekha To Yeh Khayal Aaya" and"Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho" were very popular.His compositions for the TV serial Mirza Ghalib (based on the life of the poet Mirza Ghalib), remain extremely popular among ghazal aficionados. 
 Besides ghazals, Jagjit Singh has also sung Bhajans and Gurbani(Hindu and Sikh devotional hymns respectively). Albums such as Maa, Hare Krishna, Hey Ram...Hey Ram, Ichhabal and also Man Jeetai Jagjeet in Punjabi, put him in the league of Bhajan singers such as Mukesh, Hari Om Sharan, Yesudas, Anup Jalota and Purushottam Das Jalota. 
With a career spanning five decades and a repertoire comprising over 90 albums, "The Latest" by Sudarshan Faakir was the best selling album with his lifetime hit "Woh Kagaz ki Kashti...Woh Baarish ka Paani". It was the first album by the duo with poetry of only one Poet. In 1990 their son died in a road accident. Chitra felt unable to sing following this event.
 He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the government of India in 2003. In February 2014, Government of India released a postal stamp in his honour.He was regarded as one of India's most influential artists. With sitar legend Ravi Shankar and other leading figures of Indian classical music and literature,
in 2011 he  was due to perform with Ghulam Ali in Mumbai^[5] but suffered a brain haemorrhage on 23 September 2011. He was in a coma for over two weeks and died on 10 October at Lilavati Hospital, in Mumbai.

Most Popular Ghazals from Hindi Films

Song from Awishkar 1973

Song from Saath Saath 1982

Song from Arth 1982

Song from Zulf Ke Saye Saye 1983

Song from Phir Aayee Barsat 1985

Song from Aashiana 1986

Song from Nargis 1992

Song from Dushman 1998

Song from Sarfarosh 1999

Song from Tum Bin 2001

Song from Umar 2006

Kavi Pradeep- The Nationalistic Poet who got immortalized for writing Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo

Kavi Pradeep, who was born on 6th Feb 1915 as Ramchandra Narayanji Dwivedi, penned 1,700 songs for more than 85 Hindi films, most of them embellished with a patriotic fervour, including Chal chal re naujawaan and Door hato aye duniyawalon Hindustan hamara hai (both from Kismet, India's first golden jubilee hit), which stirred the souls of the people during the 1942 Quit India Movement. 
His first recognition came for his patriotic lyrics for the film Bandhan (1940) with the song Chal Chal Re Naujawan which made waves since the Indian freedom movement was at a crucial juncture.He worked on five more movies for Bombay Talkies which included Punar Milan (1940), Jhoola (1941), Naya Sansar (1941), Anjan (1943) and Kismet (1943). Kismet is known for its patriotic song "Aaj Himalay Ki Choti Se Phir Hum Ne Lalkara Hai, Door Hato Ae Duniyawalon Hindustan Hamara Hai" 
Pradeep also penned a large number of non-film songs that inspired freedom-fighters during the independence movement. After Independence, he wrote several more to promote national integration, bringing him a wealth of honours and the title, Rashtra Kavi.
Kavi Pradeep was at his peak of creativity when he wrote for the films Nastik (1954) and Jagriti (1954). He even lent his voice for the evergreen song "Dekh Tere Sansar Ki Halat Kya Ho Gayi Bhagwaan, Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan" (Look at your world, O God. How the man has changed!) from the film Nastik (1954). Jagriti is considered to be among his best work for one movie as it includes hit songs such as Aao Bachcho Tumhein Dikhayen Jhanki Hindustan Ki, Is Mitti Se Tilak Karo, Yeh Dharti Hai Balidan Ki" (sung by himself), "Hum Laye Hain Toofan Se Kishti Nikal Ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bachcho Sambhal Ke" and "De Dee Humein Azadi Bina Khadag Bina Dhal, Sabarmati Ke Sant Tu Ne Kar Diya Kamaal".
Beside writing patriotic songs he wrote all kind of songs.His songs on love specially  between a mother and her children, between a father and his children, between a bhakt (devotee) and his deity,In fact the songs of 1975 film Jai Santoshi Ma became very popular. Ladies would perform poojas when the immortal song "Main To Aarti Utaroon Re Santoshi Mata Ki" was played in the theatres. He also sang one of the songs "Yahan Wahan" from the film for which he received the award as Best Male Playback Singer from the Bengal Film Journalists' Association in 1975.
S. Mukerji's Sambandh (1969) starring Pradeep Kumar was a movie that ran on the popularity of songs such as "Chal Akela Chal Akela, Tera Mela Peechhe Chhoota Raahi Chal Akela", "Jo Diya Tha Tum Ne Ek Din, Mujhe Phir Wohi Pyar De Do, Ek Karz Mangta Hoon, Bachpan Udhar De Do" were written by Kavi Pradeep. 
In 1997, he was honoured by India's highest award in Cinema, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement.He died at the age of 83 on 11 December 1998.  

The Great Songs By Kavi Pradeep

Song from Bandhan 1940

Song from Kismet 1943

Song from Mashaal 1950

Song from Nastik 1954

Song from Jagriti 1954

Song from Jagriti 1954

Song from Paigham 1959

Song from Harishchand Taramati 1963

Song from Sambandh 1968

Song from Jai Santoshi Maa 1975

The Evolution of Bollywood Dance

Songs and Dance are integral part of Indian films.No Bollywood film would be complete without many songs and dances.The style of dancing in earlier Bollywood films was based on Indian Classical Dance or Folk Dances from various parts of India. These dances included the classical art forms of Kathak and Bharata Natyam. But today, Bollywood has developed its own corpus of material.Bollywood Style of Dancing is now a craze in UK,USA and Europe.
Earlier films from south India tended to show a lot of influence from Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi while Hindi films tended to show strong influences of Kathak or the "mujara" dances that were associated with the tawaifs.  
The very first movie fully Choreographed was Kalpana (1948) produced and directed by the renowned dancer Uday Shankar. In the same year another film released was S S Vasan's Chanrakanta choreographed by Tarun Chopra,the disciple of Uday Shankar ji.With the success of both these films the era of dance began in Hindi Cinema.Before that a film Roti (1942) became hit because of Sitara Devi's Dance.

Dance from Roti 1942

Dance from Kalpana1948

There were some great dancers in that era.  Indian Cinema was blessed with great dancers like Geetanjali, Sandhya, Vyajayantimala,Padmini,Ragini & Mahipal who with their outstanding energy and performance mesmerized the audiences and took dance to the next level. In 1951 Raj Kapoor gave the industry a lavish song-and-dance dream sequence.Filmed evocatively in black and white, ‘showman’ Kapoor gets his muse Nargis to ‘welcome her wanderer home’, on the backdrop of an over-the-top set featuring a grand stairway, lots of mist, a giant dancing Shiva and a crowd of background female dancers. Nargis rose to the challenge and proved her versatility with her dancing feet.

In the late 50's & 60's group dances began to evolve in Bollywood films & choreographers started managing larger groups of dancers, with influences from folk dances. One may also find songs about holidays, (e.g., Holi), Mother India, the moon, or other topics; but these are far less common.Another style of dancing evolved in 60s was heroes and heroines were singing romantic songs running and dancing around trees.Some of these moves were really rather hard to class as dancing.  The spastic deliveries of songs by Shammi Kapoor came to mind.  Still, from these random spastic jerks and jumping around, identifiable moves began to develop. In that period V Shantaram made few great Song & Dance Movies like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje,Dr Vidya and Navrang.

Dance from Dr Vidya

In the 50s a new style of dance was introduced by Bhagwan dada which became very popular.A film Albela in 1951 had many songs and dance in a new style.These steps are still liked by the audience.Amitabh Bachchan copied those steps in many of hit films in 70s and 80s

Song from Albela 1951

The new entry in Bollywood dance was cabarets and western dances.The cabaret scene is probably the most significant artistic and commercial example of the Bollywood dance.  It may be considered to be the first truly 'Bollywood" form.

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

Undoubtedly the reining queen of the cabaret dance was Helen.  She was born Helen Jairag Richardson, of mixed Anglo-Indian-Burmese descent.  She started dancing and acting in the 1950s, and by the 1960s was the undisputed queen of the item girls.  However by the 1970s, item numbers were going to the younger girls.
In the 80s Cabaret was replaced by Disco, which was a worldwide phenomenon at the time.
By this time classical dance vanished from Hindi films only in Period films Mujra were shown.With the emergence of Mithun Chakraborti disco was the main attraction during that period.After that in 90s came an era which introduced Bollywood Free Style of dancing which was well represented by dancers like Govinda who developed their own signature style of dance.
Now since the inception of MTV , Bollywood dancing has been heavily influenced by Western dance styles, and incorporates elements from the West. In many cases, the musical numbers are released as separate music videos, and the soundtracks are released prior to the film, in order to further advertise the upcoming feature films. In modern Bollywood films, the musical numbers are often based on the Hip-Hop style of dance as well as other variations of Hip-Hop dance.The dance movements have become more bold & extroverted to capture the audience’s attention. 

Dance from ABCD

For the last few years Remo D'souza the famous Choreographer is making films based on Dances.He made India's first 3D dance movie, ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance, with contestants from season 1 and season 2 of Dance India Dance (Dharmesh Yelande, Punit Pathak, Salman Yusuff Khan, Bhavna, Prince and others),Prabhu Deva and Lauren Gottlieb. After that ABCD 2, was released in June 2015. It starred Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, and Prabhu Deva in lead roles, with Lauren Gottlieb, Punit Pathak, Raghav Juyal, and Dharmesh Yelande in supporting roles.
The Evolution of Bollywood Dance is a process that is entirely Indian and yet cross-cultural at the same time.
Some of the Iconic Dances of Bollywood

This song changed the Indian music industry era & created a milestone platform important thing Lata Mangeshkar is the Golden voice gifted by the God....and the immortal Nagin dance by Vyajayantimala.

Song from Nagin 1954

                                The great Dance by Gopi Kishan and Sandhya

Dance from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje 1955

 The best and liveliest example of Bharatanatyam on a film.

Song from Azaad (1955)

The famous Kathputli Dance was shown in Chori Chori.Very well picturized on Raj Kapoor & Nargis.

Song from Chori Chori 1956

After Sandhya I think Vyajayantimala was a dancing star in Bollywood. She was the first South Indian actress to become a Bollywood star and "paved a way" for other south Indian actresses to foray into Bollywood. Vyjayanthimala's main concentration

 was in Bharata Natyam,

 

Song from Sadhna (1958) 

WHAT A DANCE SONG, WHAT A CHOREOGRAPHY AND OF COURSE THE MUSIC OF SALIL Da.

Song from Madhumati 1958

Time is just frozen as you watch this masterpiece. Big salute to Madhubala and OP Naiyer ji

Song from Phagun ,1958,

One of the amazing song & dance produced ever, Sandhya performs so beautifully, one of the greatest dancer of Bollywood.She will always be remembered for her great personality and amazing looks.

Song from Navrang 1959

The milestone Dance of Hindi film industry is this song ,Lata Mangeshkar's voice and Madhubala s dance are just complimenting each other n a real justice to this song

Song from Mughal e Azam 1960

Helen is pure perfection. Every move, every gesture is on point.Helen"s thumkas, steps & insertions are nicely blended & took up the task of choreography perfectly.

Song from Parasmani (1963)

Wonderful dance by Asha Parekh - so talented , Look at the great talent of this woman ' Asha Paresh ' and maneuvering of her body in the way her Guru Gopi

Krishna taught.

Song from Ziddi (1964)

SERPENT DANCE BY Waheeda Rehman in GUIDE (1965).A real treat to watch

Dance from Guide 1965

This dance is from Amrapali , a 1966 historical Hindi film directed by Lekh Tandon, starring Vyjayanthimala and Sunil Dutt as leads. Music of the film was by Shankar-Jaikishan. Vyjayanthimala is truly one wonder woman.Personality,figure,her position,style,communication

skills, her dance graceful,

Dance from Amrapali 1966

Long dance sequence with minimum clipping...only Vijayanthimala can do it..5 stars to this song and dance sequence. Lata is just brilliant .Wow.

Song from Jewel Thief 1967

A great dance compitition between 3 legends  Vyajayantimala,Helen and Shammi Kapoor  

Song from Prince (1969)

How can we miss this great song and dance by Helen in Carvan 1971,this film has many dances.

Song from Carvan 1971

With this film Disco Dancer this form of dancing became popular.This songs gives you full energy... Your body get automatically start responding to every beats

Song from Disco Dancer 1982

Madhuridixit is one of the greatest dancer in India and no doubt people appreciated her performance in this song.She became hit after this dance.

Song from Tejab 1988

This is the Magic of Madhuri and Saroj khan.Madhuri Dixit is unmatchable in Bollywood,she gave many song and Dance hits.

Song from Beta 1992

With the emergence of Govinda his style of Dancing became popular.He along with Karishma kapoor gave many Hit songs,this is one of those songs.

Hero No1 1997

With Dil to Paagal Hai Shimak Davar changed the way dance was perceived in Indian films,he is the first to bring contemporary jazz and western forms of dance to India. He is known as the guru of contemporary dance in India.

Song from Dil To Paagal Hai 1997

Today's generation can't even imagine the craze of this song when it was released.With this film emerged a new form of dancing.

Song from kaho na pyar hai 2000

This dance brought Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai in sync with each other by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Song from Devdas 2002