Meet Bollywood's Most Famous Three-Generation Directors
Posted On: 03 Jul 2023 | Last Updated : 03 Jul 2023 | Views : 867
Ever since Bollywood came into existence there has been a common trend of an actor’s son or daughter becoming an actor or actress and an actress’s son or daughter becoming an actor or actress. Often accused of nepotism, stars are often seen setting the stage for the next generation to continue the legacy. If actors and actresses had their way so did directors who shared and taught the tricks of the trade and set the platform for their children and the coming generations in Bollywood. Like acting, film direction also cuts across generations in the film fraternity. We have witnessed three generations of actors and actresses but how many three-generation directors’ names do we know of? Come to think of it not many names we know where grandfather, father, and son/daughter were all directors. Let’s amaze you with a list of popular three-generation directors of Bollywood who entertained us with their magic of celluloid cuts over the years.
1. Vijay Bhatt / Pravin Bhatt / Vikram Bhatt / Krishna Bhatt
The Bhatt family is probably the only family that has seen four generations of directors. The late Vijay Bhatt started his career as a director with Khwab Ki Duniya in 1937. Some of his major hit movies were Bharat Milap (1942), Ram Rajya (1943), Baiju Bawra (1952), Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), and others. His son Pravin Bhatt was primarily a cinematographer who shot films such as Kaalia, Masoom, Naam, Agneepath, Aashiqui, the Raaz horror series, and the 1920 series. He directed four films including Jeevan Sandhya, Bhavna, Khoon Bahaa Ganga Mein and Ek Hi Maqsad. His son Vikram Bhatt too has directed successful films like Ghulam, the Raaz series, Awara Paagal Deewana, the 1920 series, and Hacked. His daughter Krishna Bhatt who started off as a producer made her directorial debut with 1920: Horrors of the Heart (2023).
2. Prithviraj Kapoor / Raj Kapoor / Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor
The list of ‘Bollywood's famous three-generation directors’ would be incomplete if we do not mention the first Bollywood family of ‘The Kapoor's to it. Yes, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor was an actor as well as a director who directed his only film Paisa in 1957. His son Raj Kapoor who was known as the showman of the film industry had directed superhits like Barsaat, Shree 420, Sangam, Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Prem Rog. Raj Kapoor’s three sons – Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor & Rajiv Kapoor who took over the mantle of RK Films went on to direct Dharam Karam, Henna, Prem Granth and Aa Ab Laut Chalen, respectively.
3. Nanabhai Bhatt / Mahesh Bhatt / Pooja Bhatt
Talk about famous three-generation directors of Bollywood and we have yet another Bhatt family. Nanabhai Bhatt was one of Bollywood’s well-known directors of the 40s,50s,60s, and 70s. Some of his hit movies were Veer Ghatotkach (1949), Ram Janma (1951), Kangan (1959), Police Detective (1960), Teen Ustad (1961), and others. His son Mahesh Bhatt too was a famous director in the 70s, 80s, and 90s and delivered hits such as Arth, Saaransh, Naam, Aashiqui, Sadak, Sir, etc. Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Pooja Bhatt who started off as an actress with Daddy in 1991 turned director with Paap in 2003 and later also directed movies like Holiday, Dhokha, Kajraare, and Jism 2.
4. Kikubhai Desai / Manmohan Desai / Ketan Desai
Kikubhai Desai had a short inning in Bollywood as a filmmaker who directed films like Burkhawali, Taranhaar, Sinhaldweep Ki Sundari, Sheikh Chilli and others. His son Manmohan Desai was one of Bollywood’s popular directors of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Manmohan Desai was known for superhit films like Sachaa Jhutha, Raampur Ka Lakshman, Roti, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer, Suhaag, Naseeb, Coolie and Mard, etc. His son Ketan Desai too wielded the megaphone for films like Allah-Rakha, Toofan, and Anmol.
5. B. R. Chopra / Ravi Chopra / Abhay Chopra
Another film family to join the list of popular three-generation directors of Bollywood is the Chopra family. B.R. Chopra was known for making socially relevant hit films such as Afsana, Ek Hi Rasta, Kanoon, Gumrah, Hamraaz, Dhund, Insaf Ka Tarazu and Nikaah while his son Ravi Chopra who marked his directorial debut in 1975 with Zameer also helmed films like The Burning Train, Dahleez, Aaj Ki Awaz, Baghban and Baabul. Ravi Chopra’s son Abhay Chopra made his directorial debut in 2017 by remaking his grandfather’s 1969 production venture Ittefaq which starred Akshaye Khanna, Sidharth Malhotra and Sonakshi Sinha.
6. G. P. Sippy / Ramesh Sippy / Rohan Sippy
Who can forget Bollywood's well-known three-generation directors of the Sippy’s? G.P. Sippy will always be remembered for producing Bollywood’s landmark historic blockbuster, Sholay (1975) but only a few know that he had directed films including Adil-E-Jahangir, Marine Drive, Shrimati 420, Lighthouse, Bhai Bahen and others. His son director Ramesh Sippy is remembered for helming superhits like Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Shaan, Shakti, Saagar and Zamaana Deewana. His son Rohan Sippy is the third-generation director in the Sippy family who has directed flicks like Kuch Naa Kaho, Bluffmaster, Dum Maaro Dum, and Nautanki Saala!
7. H. S. Rawail / Rahul Rawail / Rajat Rawail
Director Rajat Rawail who directed Zameer and Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya happens to be a third-generation director in Bollywood. He belongs to the Rawail family that ranks among Bollywood's popular three-generation directors. Rajat Rawail’s grandfather H.S. Rawail was famous for directing superhits like Pocket Maar, Mere Mehboob, Sunghursh, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, and Laila Majnu, etc. H.S. Rawail’s son Rahul Rawail was one of the hot shot directors of the 80s and 90s who helmed films like Biwi-O-Biwi, Betaab, Arjun, Dacait, Yodha, Bekhudi, Anjaam, Arjun Pandit and Jo Bole So Nihaal, etc.
8. Ramanand Sagar / Moti Sagar / Amrit Sagar
Legendary producer and director Ramanand Sagar whom we fondly remember for making the Ramayan TV serial had also directed some biggies like Ghunghat, Zindagi, Arzoo, Ankhen, Geet, Lalkar, Charas and Baghavat, etc. His son Moti Sagar was majorly into production but also directed his solo film Prerana in 1984. Moti Sagar’s son Amrit Sagar made his directorial debut with the underrated war classic 1971 (2007) starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead. His other directorial was Rabba Main Kya Karoon (2013).
9. K. S. Prakash Rao / K. Raghavendra Rao / Prakash Kovelamudi
Many may not know but the ‘Kovelamudi’ family down south who have contributed to Telugu as well as Hindi film industry has served for three generations. K. S. Prakash Rao was a well-known Telugu filmmaker who directed only a solo Hindi movie that was Prem Nagar (1974) while his son K. Raghavendra Rao was equally popular in Telugu as well as Hindi film industry. K. Raghavendra Rao made his Bollywood directorial debut with Nishana in 1980 and delivered several hits like Farz Aur Kaanoon, Himmatwala, Justice Chaudhury, Tohfa, Dharm Adhikari, etc. His son Prakash Kovelamudi is also an actor, producer, and director whose solo Hindi directorial happens to be the Kangana Ranaut – Rajkummar Rao starrer Judgementall Hai Kya released in 2019.
