Cinema is a beautiful medium that makes it possible to bring out different and unique stories and relationships on screen. Sometimes, it even gives a chance to many of our artists to work with people from their real lives, in different capacities. Recently, when I got to see Jersey, I saw the beautiful relationship between Shahid Kapoor and dad Pankaj Kapur, but in a different equation as the latter played the former’s coach. But just like them, there are many father-son duos in Bollywood that have shared screen space in different equations and it is always a pleasure to see real life transcend to the 70 mm. Here are a few of those instances:
Pankaj Kapur-Shahid Kapoor
Jersey might have given a beautiful platform to Shahid and Pankaj to get to work together on the big screen, but it wasn’t their first time. Before this, they appeared together in Shandaar, where Pankaj played the role of Alia Bhatt‘s dad. They even worked on Mausam with each other, the difference being that Pankaj was behind the camera for that as he directed the film, with Shahid in the lead. And I have loved seeing all these different equations come alive between the two.
Amitabh Bachchan-Abhishek Bachchan
The Bachchans have collaborated on several projects together. From taking their real-life equation to screen in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna to playing a cop and conman in Bunty Aur Babli and then reversing their real-life relationship in Paa, where Abhishek played Big B’s dad, the two have always been a riot whenever they appeared together on screen and they have to be my favourite duo to witness on the 70 mm.
Dharmendra-Sunny Deol-Bobby Deol
Dharam Paji got to play father to his sons in not one but two projects and their sequels as well. While I first saw them together in Apne, followed by Yamla Pagla Deewana, I also got to see them return for the sequel of the latter, and now in the former’s part 2, there is an addition of another generation as Sunny’s son Karan Deol, is also joining them for that.
Sunil Dutt-Sanjay Dutt
Sunil sir directed Sanjay’s debut film in Bollywood, but it wasn’t until Munna Bhai M.B.B.S that the duo got to share the screen together. And when they finally did that, it was just magical. I can never forget that climax scene of Sunil sir asking Sanjay for the ‘jaadu ki jhappi’. It made me give one to my father as well.
Rishi Kapoor-Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir got to work with his father on screen when they appeared in Besharam together. And to add a little more excitement to that, even his mother Neetu Kapoor was a part of it. The film might not have worked on the box-office but it sure gave Ranbir the priceless memories of sharing screen with the legend that his father was.
I love it when artists get to work with people from their lives on screen as it gives them a chance to explore another side of their equation, and for me as an audience, it is always a pleasure to see a little bit of real-life creep up on the big screen. Jersey reminded me how beautiful it is, and seeing Shahid hug father Pankaj in one of the scenes was just too overwhelming. This is indeed the power of cinema.