Sukanya Verma in Mumbai
It's the surname.
Star kids and star siblings are commonplace in Bollywood and get the best of debuts under the biggest of banners.
Bollywood is a small place and, believe it or not, everyone's connected to another by blood or brotherhood.
For those not a direct descendant or kid brother/sister of a raging superstar, it doesn't hurt to have a famous cousin in the same field. Only not everyone wants to be burdened with the weight of comparison and refuse to dwell on its virtue. And so not many know yesteryear glam girls Sadhana and Babita were cousin sisters.
On that note, here's a look at some of Bollywood's famous cousin jodis of the moment:
Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra
While Priyanka Chopra worked her way into the limelight with a Miss World crown and then a smashing entry into films leading to the much-sought after National Award trophy win, her Ambala born cousin; Parineeti showed no inclination towards Bollywood and pursued a career in finance.
When circumstances forced the latter to look for a job in Mumbai, Didi Chopra came to her rescue using her clout to get the latter a Marketing & PR position in Yash Raj Films. But the acting bug proved hard to resist and Parineeti made her debut under the same banner with a secondary but snazzy part in Ladies VS Ricky Bahl and next a leading role in this week's release, Ishaqzaade.
Sonam and Arjun Kapoor
Born to brother Boney and Anil Kapoor, Sonam and Arjun share a warm relationship what with the former routing for her cousin's acting debut in YRF's Ishaqzaade.
While Sonam is still to prove her box office bankability, her stylish wardrobe ensures she is Cover Girl every month or another. Arjun, going by his uninhibited avatar in the promos, is looking to follow his popular uncle's jhakaas footsteps.
Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor
Their scale of affections may not reflect the closeness of brothers Randhir and Rishi Kapoor but the kids have been vocally supportive of each other's success.
While Karisma won everyone's hearts during the 90s and is making a comeback in Dangerous Ishhq, Kareena is calling the shots as Bollywood's currently reigning queen whereas Ranbir has reaffirmed his 'chip-of-the-old-block' reputation with one startling performance after another. We've often read how Bebo sulks about the fact that they are siblings and cannot romance each other on screen giving other actresses the opportunity (and advantage) to work with him.
Kajol, Rani Mukerji and Mohnish Behl
Star daughters of Mukerji cousins – filmmaker Shomu and Filmalaya Studios founder Ram, Kajol and Rani aren't the best of friends but maintain a cordial equation in face of prying media eyes.
Being Tanuja's daughter, Shobana Samarth's granddaughter and Nutan's niece gave Kajol an extra edge as opposed to second cousin, Rani.
Despite their contrasting beginning, both have enjoyed numero uno status. The two worked together in one of the biggest hits of their career in director buddy Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Kajol's other cousin (from her mom's side) Mohnish Behl, meanwhile, has made a name for himself as a television actor or doing supporting roles in films.
Despite their contrasting beginning, both have enjoyed numero uno status. The two worked together in one of the biggest hits of their career in director buddy Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Kajol's other cousin (from her mom's side) Mohnish Behl, meanwhile, has made a name for himself as a television actor or doing supporting roles in films.
Fardeen and Zayed Khan
For better or worse, the Khans are a close-knit bundle. The closeness between the late Feroz Khan and his younger brother Sanjay has passed on to their offspring as well.
Cousins Fardeen and Zayed not just party together but stand by each other in hour of need.
Neither has had a noteworthy stint as actor but that hasn't hampered their personal equation one bit.
Neither has had a noteworthy stint as actor but that hasn't hampered their personal equation one bit.
Farhan-Zoya Akhtar and Farah-Sajid Khan
Okay, so besides being a celebrity sibling pair, they make for a celebrity sibling quartet too.
Filmmakers Farhan (also leading man) and Zoya Akhtar's mother Honey Irani, a child actor turned screenwriter and choreographer/director Farha and her actor/director brother Sajid Khan's mom, Menaka are sisters.
Besides sharing their love for movies and a distinct sense of humour, these siblings and their equally well-known cousins have gone on to create some of the most significant films and biggest hits for Bollywood.
Sunny, Bobby and Abhay Deol
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Despite the huge age difference between Sunny and his cousin brother, Abhay, the duo shares a bond based on respect and quiet affection. The other Deol, Bobby, as he shared on a television show, good-naturedly bullied the Dev-D star as kids.
Although both Sunny and Bobby Deol have been in this profession for much longer, Abhay too, like them, made his debut under uncle Dharmendra's banner Vijeyta Films with Imtiaz Ali's Socha Na Tha.
Since his liberal lifestyle isn't compatible with the traditional Deol mindset, AD maintains an independent existence.
Vidya Balan and Priyamani
While Vidya Balan has taken Bollywood by storm with one smashing performance after another in hit films, her first cousin, Priyamani is wooing the Tamil and Malayalam film industry with her spunky appeal.
Though their work doesn't permit them to socialize as much as they would like to, the mutual admiration is hard to miss. Incidentally, both sisters have worked with Mani Ratnam at one time. VB played a poignant part in Guru, Priyamani essayed the role of Abhishek Bachchan/Vikram's sister in the bilingual Raavan/Raavanan.
Pooja Bhatt and Emraan Hashmi
The baby-faced beauty of 1990s, Pooja Bhatt, known to star only in dad Mahesh Bhatt's films, has graduated to making her own like Paap, Jism and its under-production sequel starring Sunny Leone.
She shares a warm rapport with her cousin brother Emraan Hashmi. He, like her, was also accused of working exclusively for the Bhatts until recently he broke out with some impressive work in Milan Luthria's Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, The Dirty Picture and Dibakar Banerjee's upcoming Shanghai.
Aamir and Mansoor Khan
Filmmaker Nasir Hussain and his brand of entertainment enjoy a special place in cinema. His younger brother Tahir, who directed the snake-themed drama Tum Mere Ho, never achieved such heights.
But their sons and famous cousins -- director Mansoor and actor/filmmaker Aamir Khan have collaborated on memorable films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. While the especially reticent Mansoor has taken a voluntary retirement from films, briefly returning to co-produce Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa with Aamir, who as we all know, has grown to become one of the most bankable superstars of the Hindi Film industry.
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