Big shoes to fill

Jasmine Singh

Though Bollywood stands divided on the issue on nepotism, star kids do manage to stay in the news always and many feel that they have it easy. The Punjabi entertainment industry does host many star kids, some have managed to excel in the field of entertainment, while others are staying safe in the shadow of the celebrity parents. Then, there is a new crop of star kids who are waiting for the right launch pad, and few more who have made their entry recently. So, like any other entertainment industry, do these star kids have it preferably easy or the struggles of Bollywood and Pollywood are more or less the same plane? 

What do you expect?

Actor Pukhraj Bhalla has a celebrated name to keep up with. Son of one of the popular comedians Jaswinder Bhalla, he has a few good projects to his name. Even though he has done character roles in these films, he is still waiting for that one big leap. So far it is good? “So far, yes,” he heaves a sigh of relief, “but this does not mean that I am not compared to my father or his work or even his style of comedy. If not better then at least I am expected to be as good as him, which is a huge burden for an artiste.” Pukhraj, however, is learning to cope up with the expectations. He takes regular advice from his father, but at the same time sticks to his style. “Much as I want, I cannot be a clone of him, as an artiste I will have something of my own.”

On a different note

 While some star kids in this industry are following on the same line as their parents, Gurickk G Maan works behind the camera. Gurickk directed his father, legendary singer-actor Gurdas Maan’s much talked about video Sardar. An introvert, Gurickk doesn’t like to be written or spoken about much. Since, he is neither a singer nor an actor; the star kid doesn’t have to face the ‘you better prove yourself’ expectations. 

Just the beginning  

But not all star kids can enjoy the comfort of being in their own space. Punjabi singer Harbhajan Mann’s son Avkash Singh Mann is all set to make his entry in Pollywood. Avkash who has recently completed his studies from the University Of Toronto, has decided to act in films.  Gurvar Cheema, popular Punjabi singer Sarbjit Cheema’s son, will also be making his acting debut in a Punjabi film with his father in Dulla Vailly. “Do you think the audiences will accept a star because he is a star kid? Well, I don’t think so,  if  they do not like their work, they would not give second thought before dismissing the star kid. And all the hype about nepotism is not applicable at all,” shares Jashan Singh, Punjabi singer.  Changing fields might sound like a safe bet for a moment, but once the audiences know the affiliation behind the famous second name, it is almost impossible to shake off the tag. 

Standing tall

Not all star kids touch the heights of success as their parents. However, in the recent past, we have seen star kids who worked hard to create an  identity away from their parents’ limelight. 

• Yuvraj & Navraj Hans
• Jashan Singh
• Lakhwinder Wadali