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Published : 18 Mar 2025, 12:53 AM
Over the last decade, Bollywood has seen more downs in its trajectory than ups.
Box office failures have become increasingly common, with audiences growing weary of formulaic storytelling.
This only got worse when the audience turned away from Bollywood towards punchier, high-energy South Indian movies.
Despite these hurdles, Bollywood’s star power has not diminished in the slightest.
Viewers around the world remain deeply invested in their favourite stars, following them from red-carpet appearances to casual Instagram posts.
Even among the stars, certain families reign supreme.
Yet, beyond the glamour of the Kapoor dynasties, the many Khans, and the ever-iconic Bachchans, there exists another kind of Bollywood family that has long worked behind the scenes, shaping the very essence of Indian cinema.
These are the true film families: the screenwriters who crafted Bollywood’s most memorable dialogues, the directors who revolutionized storytelling, the music composers who gave Hindi cinema its soul, and the producers who turned their ambitious dreams into reality.
Among them, the Roshans, the Chopras, and the legendary duo of Salim-Javed stand out as titans, their contributions transcending generations, leaving an indelible mark on Hindi cinema.
Thanks to recent documentaries like “The Romantics”, “The Roshans”, and “Angry Young Men”, these creative powerhouses are finally receiving their due recognition.
The Roshans, starting with Roshan Lal Nagrath, built a dynasty of musicians and filmmakers, culminating in Rakesh Roshan’s directorial success and Hrithik Roshan’s superstardom.
Salim-Javed, led by the formidable duo of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, revolutionised Bollywood screenwriting, creating some of the most iconic dialogues and storylines.
Salim’s son, Salman Khan, became one of the three most influential Khans – Bollywood’s biggest superstars.
Javed’s daughter Zoya Akhtar has made her mark as a critically acclaimed director, while his son Farhan Akhtar has excelled as an actor, director, screenwriter, and musician, making the Akhtar name synonymous with versatility and innovation in Bollywood.
Yash Raj Films, spearheaded by Yash Chopra and later his son Aditya Chopra, defined the aesthetics of romance and grandeur in Bollywood cinema.
The families often crossed paths.
One such collaboration, the 1979 film “Kaala Patthar”, is a testament to their intertwined legacies.
A gripping drama inspired by real-life mining tragedies, the film brought together the music of Rajesh Roshan, the dialogues of Salim-Javed, and the direction of Yash Chopra, demonstrating the seamless synergy between these creative powerhouses.
The documentaries provide a raw and genuine glimpse into the lives of Bollywood’s most prominent stars.
While these real-life stories lack the dramatic flair of fictionalised narratives, they are every bit as cinematic, depicting larger-than-life figures whose real-life journeys are filled with trials and triumphs.
The star-studded shows truly portray Bollywood as a “film fraternity,” as actors, directors, producers, and musicians from all levels come together to celebrate the seasoned veterans, showcasing the deep sense of community in the industry.
What sets these documentaries apart is the way they fill viewers with hope and inspiration.
They remind the viewers that the star families are not as far removed from ordinary life.
Their rise to fame wasn’t handed to them—it was forged through relentless hard work, resilience, and an unwavering belief in their dreams. These stars, despite their fame, never took success for granted; they had to fight for it, and that determination is at the heart of their stories.
These shows do not only celebrate their achievements but also highlight their struggles, both professional and personal.
“Angry Young Men” explores Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar’s partnership, once considered unbreakable.
Their partnership ended in a bitter split overnight, shocking the entire film industry.
Rakesh Roshan survived an assassination attempt, a stark reminder of the darker sides of fame.
The incident was reenacted in “The Roshans”, adding a raw emotional layer to their story.
These revelations humanised the legendary figures, proving that their journeys were fraught with challenges, much like the stories they wrote and composed.
Unlike most Hindi biographies, these shows make sure to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of the women behind the scenes.
Female family members are acknowledged for their pivotal roles in shaping the family’s legacy.
Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan, for example, spoke with deep respect about their mother, Ira Nagrath, a talented singer in her own right, who balanced her career while raising them after their father's untimely passing.
Salim Khan also paid tribute to his wife, Salma Khan, acknowledging her selflessness in keeping the family together, particularly through the challenges brought on by his second marriage to actress Helen.
Javed Akhtar took a moment to reflect on his enduring bond with his ex-wife, screenwriter Honey Irani, while also celebrating the life he shares with his current wife, veteran actress Shabana Azmi.
Javed and Honey remain close friends, supporting each other both personally and professionally to this day.
Aditya and Uday Chopra shared heartfelt praise for their mother, Pamela Chopra, emphasising how her meticulous attention to detail played a crucial role in shaping the distinctive style of many YRF films, without which the studio's iconic productions would not have been the same.
Beyond personal stories, the documentaries subtly address the ever-present nepotism debate.
While the successors in these families have undeniably benefited from their lineage, the narrative also emphasises the hard work and patience required to sustain generational success.
“The Roshans” focused on Hrithik’s journey, who debuted in Bollywood as the son of a successful director, but had to work relentlessly to establish himself as a superstar.
Salman Khan, once overshadowed by his father Salim Khan’s screenwriting legacy, built an empire of his own, while his brothers Arbaaz and Sohail could not step out of their comfort zone as supporting actors.
Uday Chopra addresses his career struggles personally in “The Romantics”.
The “Mohabbatein” star reflects on his journey in Bollywood, where theoretically, he had every opportunity to succeed.
He dedicated himself to improving his craft, working hard on his physique, taking acting classes, and even assisting his brother, Aditya, on his directorial projects to immerse himself fully in the industry.
Uday’s commitment is especially evident in “Dhoom”, where he convincingly portrays a motorcycle mechanic from Mumbai.
Despite being the son of one of Bollywood’s most renowned directors at the time, his fluent command of the street slang and the “Tapori” dialect left no doubt that he was completely at home in his character.
Ultimately, Uday's career did not reach the same heights as his peers, leaving him with a relatively brief period in the spotlight.
Asha Bhosle, in “The Roshans”, sums it up best: “It is not usual for an artist’s entire family to turn out to be artists, but it happened with the Roshans.”
The same can be said for the Khans, Akhtars, and Chopras, whose next generations are carrying forward their legacies, albeit in evolving roles.
While Hrithik remains an actor, Farhan has branched into directing, screenwriting, and singing. Aditya and Uday have chosen to focus on production rather than acting.
In many ways, Bollywood mirrors these changes.
Though it is facing a challenging transition, the new generation of filmmakers and artists are finding new ways to keep the industry relevant.
Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood’s most influential actor Shah Rukh Khan, is set to make his directorial debut, signalling a shift where legacy does not solely mean on-screen stardom but also contributions behind the camera.
Just as these great film families reinvent themselves with each generation, Bollywood too is ready for its next renaissance.
