Like Father, Like Son: The Legacy of Bollywood's Iconic Screen Men

Wednesday, Jun 03, 2026 | Last Update : 01:15 PM IST

  Did you Know?   03 Jun 2026  Like Father, Like Son: The Legacy of Bollywood's Iconic Screen Men

Like Father, Like Son: The Legacy of Bollywood's Iconic Screen Men

xplore 15 legendary Bollywood fathers and their sons. From cinematic icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Sunil Dutt to modern creators like Rohit Shetty and Shahid Kapoor.
Jun 3, 2026, 12:16 pm ISTDid you Know?JhakaasMovies Staff
Like Father, Like Son: The Legacy of Bollywood's Iconic Screen Men
  Like Father, Like Son: The Legacy of Bollywood's Iconic Screen Men

Passage of Power: How Bollywood’s Fiercest Screen Legends Passed the Torch to Their Sons

This comprehensive compilation celebrates the enduring legacies of Bollywood’s most iconic film families, bridging the gap between vintage screen magic and modern Hindi cinema. From the legendary, menacing villains and master action choreographers who defined the golden eras of the 1970s and 90s to the ageless romantic heroes and pioneering filmmakers, this list tracks how cinematic brilliance, physical style, and creative vision have been passed down from father to son. It offers a fascinating look into the ultimate real-life bloodlines driving the stories, stunts, and blockbusters we celebrate today.

1 Sunil Dutt and Sanjay Dutt

Father: Sunil Dutt

A legendary actor, producer, and humanitarian who epitomized moral righteousness in cinematic milestones like Mother India (1957). He later served with high distinction as India's Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports.

Son: Sanjay Dutt

An iconic star who defined the hyper-masculine anti-hero archetype of the 80s and 90s (Khalnayak). He continues to dominate pan-Indian cinema by playing formidable antagonists in massive multi-lingual spectacles like K.G.F: Chapter 2.

2 Pankaj Kapur and Shahid Kapoor

Father: Pankaj Kapur

One of India's most deeply revered, National Award-winning method actors. His towering dramatic transformations span art-house masterworks like Maqbool (2003) and the iconic satirical television series Office Office.

Son: Shahid Kapoor

An elite leading man and phenomenal dancer who successfully balances commercial stardom with highly intense, dark character studies in films like Haider (2014), Udta Punjab (2016), and the record-breaking Kabir Singh (2019).

3 Jackie Shroff and Tiger Shroff

Father: Jackie Shroff

The definitive "Jaggu Dada" of Bollywood, who shot to fame with Subhash Ghai's Hero (1983). Universally loved for his effortless charm, distinct dialect, and organic environmental activism.

Son: Tiger Shroff

One of the most elite martial artists and physical action stars in modern global cinema. He performs his own death-defying stunts and single-handedly anchored successful franchises like the Baaghi series.

4 Anil Kapoor and Harshvarrdhan Kapoor

Father: Anil Kapoor

An ageless icon whose career spans over four decades of global success, from Mr. India (1987) to the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire (2008). He remains highly sought-after, recently headlining the massive global hit Animal (2023).

Son: Harshvarrdhan Kapoor

Carved out an intensely unconventional path by eschewing mainstream commercial blockbusters. He has built a dedicated niche headlining avant-garde, critically acclaimed streaming films like Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018) and Thar (2022).

5 Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol

Father: Dharmendra (Dharam Singh Deol)

Affectionately crowned Bollywood's definitive "He-Man," he remains one of the most charismatic superstars in Indian history. He seamlessly balanced rugged action in Sholay (1975) with soulful romance and flawless comedy, later receiving the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and the Padma Bhushan.

Son: Sunny Deol (Ajay Singh Deol)

Evolved into a monumental action icon known for his explosive, high-octane dialogue delivery and raw screen power in masterworks like Ghayal (1990) and Damini (1993). He scored one of the biggest box-office phenomena in history with Gadar 2 (2023) and serves as a Member of Parliament.

Son: Bobby Deol (Vijay Singh Deol)

Captured Nineties stardom as a sleek romantic action lead in Barsaat (1995) and Soldier (1998). He recently underwent a spectacular career reinvention, achieving massive critical and commercial acclaim as a terrifying antagonist in the global blockbuster Animal (2023).

6 Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, and Ranbir Kapoor

Grandfather: Raj Kapoor

Widely revered as the ultimate "Showman of Indian Cinema." He permanently reshaped global appreciation for Hindi movies through timeless classics like Awara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955), earning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Bhushan.

Son: Rishi Kapoor

Ruled for decades as the definitive, charismatic romantic hero of Hindi cinema starting with Bobby (1973). He later transitioned into a powerhouse character actor, delivering unforgettable, critically acclaimed performances in films like Agneepath (2012) and Kapoor & Sons (2016).

Grandson: Ranbir Kapoor

One of modern Bollywood's elite leading superstars and highly versatile method actors. He has generated profound critical and commercial success through shape-shifting roles in Barfi! (2012), Sanju (2018), and the massive global action phenomenon Animal (2023).

10 Saif Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan

Father: Saif Ali Khan

The "Nawab of Pataudi" who successfully carved out an incredibly diverse modern filmography. He shifted seamlessly from romantic leads to intense, dark character arcs in Omkara (2006) and pioneered the Indian streaming era with Sacred Games.

Son: Ibrahim Ali Khan

Inherited his father's precise facial structure and spent time working behind the lens as an assistant director. He transitioned into acting by securing major projects like the thriller Sarzameen and his upcoming 2026 sports drama theatrical debut, Diler.

11 Yash Johar and Karan Johar

Father: Yash Johar

A highly respected veteran producer and the revered founder of Dharma Productions. He championed large-scale, visually stunning emotional blockbusters that put Bollywood on the global map, including Agneepath (1990) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998).

Son: Karan Johar

Transformed Dharma Productions into a multi-billion rupee corporate studio house. As an influential director, producer, and host of Koffee with Karan, he redefined modern Indian pop culture with blockbusters like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023).

12 Sunny Deol and Karan Deol

Father: Sunny Deol

A monumental Bollywood action icon known for his explosive screen power in Ghayal (1990). He scored one of the biggest box-office phenomenons in modern history with Gadar 2 (2023) and continues to command mainstream theater screens.

Son: Karan Deol

Represents the third generation of the legendary Deol acting dynasty. He worked behind the scenes as an assistant director before making his official Bollywood debut as a leading man in the romantic drama Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas (2019).

13 Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan

Father: Amitabh Bachchan

A towering cultural icon universally revered as the "Shahenshah of Bollywood." Rising to prominence in the 1970s as India's definitive "Angry Young Man" in masterpieces like Zanjeer and Sholay, his peerless career spans over five decades. He continues his supreme box-office dominance well into 2026, anchoring global sci-fi blockbusters like Kalki 2898 AD and hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Son: Abhishek Bachchan

Carried forward one of cinema's heaviest legacies by carving out a highly resilient career path. Overcoming immense initial comparisons, he proved his phenomenal dramatic range in Yuva (2004) and Guru (2007), won a National Award as a producer for Paa (2009), and has successfully reinvented himself as a critically acclaimed powerhouse on digital streaming platforms.

14 Salim Khan, Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, and Sohail Khan

Father: Salim Khan

A legendary industry pioneer who permanently revolutionized Indian screenwriting as one-half of the historic Salim-Javed duo. He co-penned culture-defining masterworks like Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975), and Sholay (1975), single-handedly birthing the iconic "Angry Young Man" archetype.

Son: Salman Khan

Evolved into one of the most prominent, commercially successful, and culturally influential superstars in the history of global cinema. Affectionately crowned the "Box Office King," he holds an unbroken record of starring in the highest-grossing film of the year across ten separate years. Beyond his theatrical pull, he dominates television as the host of Bigg Boss.

Son: Arbaaz Khan

Balanced his career as a sharp character actor, specialized screen antagonist, and highly successful commercial director-producer. He famously launched and produced the massive, National Award-winning action franchise Dabangg (2010).

Son: Sohail Khan

Carved out a multi-faceted industry path by working seamlessly as a leading actor, commercial director, and independent producer, helming large-scale mass entertainment hits like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and Jai Ho (2014).

15 Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan

Father: Mammootty (Muhammad Kutty Ismail Panaparambil)

A towering powerhouse of acting method and a three-time National Film Award winner. Over a five-decade career, he has appeared in over 400 films, continually praised for pushing experimental boundaries well into his senior years.

Son: Dulquer Salmaan

Eschewed regional boundaries to become an incredibly popular multi-lingual pan-Indian star, scoring massive romantic and thriller hits across Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. He headlines the upcoming Onam action entertainer I'm Game (2026).

16 Nandamuri Harikrishna and Jr. NTR

Father: Nandamuri Harikrishna

The son of legendary actor-politician N. T. Rama Rao, he was a famous child star, character actor, and a key political figure in Andhra Pradesh who famously drove the historic "Chaitanya Ratham" campaign vehicle across the state.

Son: Jr. NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr.)

A powerhouse actor, trained classical dancer, and massive global star who achieved historic international acclaim following RRR (2022). He expands his pan-Indian presence by joining the Yash Raj Films Spy Universe in War 2.

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