Establishing oneself in any profession demands immense effort and perseverance—and the world of acting is no exception. It often takes years of dedication to hone one’s craft and gain recognition. Numerous stars have candidly shared the hardships and obstacles they faced while trying to break into the industry, as well as the long journey it took to build a stable career.At the same time, we witness individuals with no film background rise to prominence purely through talent and resilience. Yet, one term that continues to echo throughout the industry is ‘nepotism’—a label frequently attached to young actors from film families. The ‘nepo-kid’ debate resurfaces time and again, especially in Bollywood, whenever the children or relatives of established stars make their debut.When it comes to Mollywood, the ‘nepo-kid’ tag rarely attracts much hatred from audiences, as they prefer to compare talent rather than focus on how someone entered the industry. As usual, some star kids have had a challenging debut in Mollywood as well. One of the most discussed examples is Fahadh Faasil’s.The 2002 film ‘Kaiyethum Doorath’, which marked his debut, failed to impress both audiences and critics. The film was directed by his father, the renowned Malayalam filmmaker AM Fazil. Fahadh’s performance was harshly criticised, with little leniency shown due to his background. The negativity took a toll on him, and it took nearly seven years for him to return to the screen—with a small but impactful role in a Malayalam anthology film in 2009.A similar experience happened with Prithviraj Sukumaran, son of Malayalam actor and producer Sukumaran. Prithviraj himself admitted that he landed his first film, ‘Nandanam’ (2002), due to his father’s stardom. However, he too faced immense criticism and backlash, particularly for his character choices and public persona.In recent times, Mohanlal’s son, Pranav Mohanlal, has also been under the spotlight. He continues to face the pressure of proving his talent, as audiences constantly compare him with his father’s iconic legacy. Least but not the least is Mammootty’s son -actor Dulquer Salman.While fans’ emotions and expectations are understandable, hoping to see star kids excel like their legendary parents, it’s important to acknowledge that each journey is unique. The tendency to be overly harsh on star kids needs to be reconsidered. Here, we explore how these Mollywood star kids have been navigating their lives and careers without succumbing to the burden of their family legacy.Prithviraj Sukumaran called himself a ‘nepo-kid’
Prithviraj Sukumaran has openly admitted on several occasions that he is a ‘nepo-kid’ and that his debut film happened purely because of his father’s influence in the industry. In an old interview with Mashable India, the Salaar actor referred to both himself and Dulquer Salmaan as “nepo-kids”.
“I understand and accept the fact that I had it easy when entering the industry. I got my first film solely because of my surname. Someone thought I would make a good actor because I was so-and-so’s son. I wasn’t even screen-tested.”However, Prithviraj clarified that proving one’s worth and talent cannot be achieved simply by being a star kid. He noted that no director would help an actor sustain their career if they failed to deliver good performances.“You’re out there to be judged. I’ve had it easy, and I’m aware that people more talented than me are still waiting for their opportunity,” he added.Prithviraj is the son of actors Sukumaran and Mallika. His elder brother, Indrajith Sukumaran, and sister-in-law, Poornima Indrajith, are also actors.
His early career after his debut film ‘Nandanam’, directed by the acclaimed Ranjith, was far from smooth. He was criticised for portraying stereotypical characters and displaying the same acting style across films. However, his career trajectory changed over time, and he also proved his mettle as a director. His performances in films like ‘Anwar’, ‘City of God’, ‘Manikyakkallu’, ‘Mumbai Police’, ‘Memories,’ ‘Ennu Ninte Moideen’, ‘Oozham’, ‘Darvinte Parinamam’, ‘Anarkali’, and ‘Ezra’ marked a turning point.In 2019, he stunned the industry and the rest of the nation with his critically acclaimed directorial debut ‘Lucifer’, starring Mohanlal. It became the first Malayalam film to cross Rs 200 crore at the box office and was remade in both Tollywood and Bollywood.Prithviraj reinforced his commanding presence with powerful performances in ‘Jana Gana Mana’, ‘Ayyappanum Koshiyum’, ‘Driving Licence’, and ‘The Goat Life’. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for ‘Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)’. His latest directorial venture ‘L2: Empuraan’, the sequel to ‘Lucifer’, was also a global success.His achievements didn’t end there. Many in the Mollywood industry and the audience have now labelled him a pan-Indian icon. He collaborated with Prabhas on ‘Salaar’ and is reportedly working with SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu on the upcoming film ‘SSMB29.’ He has also acted in several Bollywood films and has evolved into a successful distributor and producer.Fahadh Faasil went to the US after his failed debut in ‘Kaiyethum Doorath’Fahadh Faasil’s father, director Fazil, faced heavy criticism from audiences and fans for making a film purely to launch his son, who at the time was widely viewed as lacking acting skills. Following the film’s failure, Fahadh went to the United States to study acting. He made a notable comeback in 2009 with the Malayalam anthology film ‘Kerala Cafe’. His performance as a journalist in the segment ‘Mrityunjayam’, directed by Uday Ananthan, stood out. Viewers were curious to know who he was, and many were impressed by his mature return.
Fahadh, now affectionately known as “FaFa”, has won over audiences with carefully chosen roles and his expressive acting, especially through his eyes.In an old interview with Film Companion South, Fahadh recalled the failure of his debut and how ‘Kerala Cafe’ and ‘Chaappa Kurishu’ changed his life:“Once the trust was built, it became just about doing things I believe in,” he shared, speaking about the love and acceptance he now receives.
He was determined to prove both his own talent and his father’s belief in him:“Since I failed in cinema and my father introduced so many talents to the industry, I just wanted to prove that he wasn’t wrong about me. So, I may have been subconsciously thinking or dreaming of cinema still,” he said.Fahadh is now one of the most respected names in Mollywood, with several Bollywood actors—such as Alia Bhatt, Rajkummar Rao, and Ranbir Kapoor—naming him among their favourites.His pan-Indian presence grew stronger after playing SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat IPS in Allu Arjun’s blockbuster ‘Pushpa’. Since ‘Kerala Cafe’, almost every Fahadh film has been noteworthy. Titles such as ‘Diamond Necklace’, ‘Amen’, ‘Annayum Rasoolum’, ‘Oru Indian Pranayakadha,’ ‘Iyobinte Pusthakam’, ‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram’, ‘Carbon’, ‘Njan Prakashan’, ‘Kumbalangi Nights’, ‘C U Soon’, ‘Joji’, ‘Malik’, and ‘Aavesham’ remain special to audiences. His Tamil debut alongside Kamal Haasan and director Lokesh Kanagaraj in ‘Vikram’ was also well-received.Pranav Mohanlal’s life away from stardom
Mohanlal’s son, Pranav Mohanlal, made his debut as a child artist in 2002 with ‘Onnaman’, playing the younger version of his father. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist in 2003 for his role in ‘Punarjani.’ He also appeared as a youngster in Mohanlal’s film ‘Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded’.‘Aadhi’, released in 2018, marked his first leading role. He later appeared in ‘Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham’, which did not connect with audiences. However, his 2022 film ‘Hridayam’, directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, became a hit for its music and romantic elements. Still, his capabilities as a romantic hero were questioned. He reunited with Vineeth for ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ (2024), which also received backlash for its conventional storyline. Most recently, he made a brief appearance in the climax of ‘L2: Empuraan’, giving fans hope for a promising comeback.Pranav continues to intrigue fans due to his low profile. He avoids social media and public events, maintaining a reputation for being a wanderer. Travel vloggers often share random clips of him trekking and travelling like any other individual, seemingly unaffected by his stardom. His simple attire and public appearances have only fuelled fans’ curiosity.Mohanlal once commented on his son’s lifestyle in an old TOI interview:“I never knew what he would become. I never desired that he should be something either. He grew up in hostels throughout. He led a simple life, within the four walls of a room. Even when he was working as an assistant director in my film, he chose basic accommodation. His world has always been one of simplicity, and he has never asked for more.”Dulquer Salmaan’s ups and downs in the industryMammootty’s son, Dulquer Salmaan, made his debut in 2012 with ‘Second Show’. His choice of characters impressed both critics and audiences. Films like ‘Ustad Hotel’,’ Theevram,’ ‘ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi’, ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’, ‘Pattam Pole’, ‘Bangalore Days’, and ‘Vikramadithyan’ made him a youth sensation.
In 2014, he took a different path by choosing a performance-driven role in ‘Njaan’, directed by Ranjith. Films like ‘O Kadhal Kanmani’, ‘Charlie’, and ‘Kali’ further explored his on-screen charisma and romantic appeal.‘Kammatipaadam’, directed by Rajeev Ravi, marked a dramatic shift with a more serious, grounded character.
He gained popularity among Tamil and Telugu audiences with films such as ‘Mahanati’, ‘Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal’, ‘Hey Sinamika’, ‘Sita Ramam’, and others. Though he faced box office setbacks in Malayalam, including the heavily trolled King of Kotha in 2023, his career witnessed a resurgence with impactful pan-Indian performances.His notable roles in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and ‘Lucky Baskhar’ received appreciation across languages. Dulquer has also made his mark in Bollywood with films like ‘Karwaan and Chup: Revenge of the Artist’.Despite ‘King of Kotha’s failure, his fans are now hoping for a powerful comeback in Malayalam cinema, even as he continues to do well in Telugu and Tamil industries.
