Mother's Day Special: Moms who've created an enviable legacy in entertainment industry

There are many success stories in the entertainment industry that seem straight out of a fairy tale. But behind each milestone, is perhaps the toil of many generations. This Mother's Day, let us look back at the life stories of mothers whose struggle and hard-earned success have inspired their daughters to be achievers in their own right.

Seema Pahwa and Manukriti Pahwa

Seema Pahwa had a thriving career ahead of her after starring in India's first soap opera Hum Login 1984. But then she took a long break to take care of her son Mayank and daughter Manukriti. Once her children grew up, Seema eventually returned to acting along with her theatrical roots by performing plays like Saag Meatand directing Zee Theatre's literary anthology Koi Baat Chale. She has also been featured in multiple TV shows, films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Bareilly Ki Barfiand Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. She has also directed the film Ramprasad ki Tehrvi.

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Manukriti too has made a name for herself on stage and made her cinematic debut in Yash Raj's 2018 production, Sui Dhaagawhere Seema also played a pivotal part. She also assisted Seema during the making of Koi Baat Chaleand is all set to create a legacy of her own on stage and in films just like her mother. She is incidentally married to Shahid Kapoor's stepbrother Ruhan and is Supriya Pathak’s daughter-in-law.

Lillete Dubey - Ira Dubey

Multifaceted actor and theatre director Lillete Dubey's theatre journey began in 1973 when she along with Barry John and peers co-founded 'Theatre Action Group' (TAG). Over the decades, she has worked in Indian and international productions, on stage, television and films like Zubeidaa, Monsoon Wedding, The Best Exotic Marigold Hoteland many more. In 1991, she set up The Primetime Theatre Company and for over three decades has showcased original Indian plays and regional adaptations for a global audience. Her acclaimed body of work includes Zee Theatre's teleplays like Adhe Adhure, and Womanly Voices.

Her career and fulfilling family life have also given her daughters Neha and Ira, roots and wings. Ira is a trained actor and is juggling theatre productions like 30 Days in September, Womanly Voicesand Adhe Adhurewith films like Aisha, and Dear Zindagi. She has also toured with the internationally acclaimed one-woman show, 9 Parts of Desire, directed by Lillete.

Neena Gupta - Masaba Gupta

In her autobiography Sach Kahoon Toh, celebrated actor Neena Gupta recalls how as a single mom, she would take her daughter to work with her including on the set of Tipu Sultanwhich was tragically engulfed in fire. Both mother and daughter have come a long way since then. Neena who has appeared in cult films (Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Saath Saath, Utsav), starred in the clutter-breaking Doordarshan show Khandaanand directed a TV drama (Saans) is now also enjoying major commercial success via hits like Badhaai Hoand The Last Color. Her work in the OTT show Panchayathas also been critically acclaimed.

Daughter Masaba, after establishing herself as a fashion and beauty entrepreneur, has also successfully ventured into acting with the popular Netflix show, Masaba Masabawhere Neena plays herself with trademark candour. Both women exemplify success, grit, resilience and also well-deserved personal and professional triumph.

Soni Razdan - Alia Bhatt

Soni Razdan was an important part of new-age cinema including Chowringhee Lane, Mandi, Saaransh, Trikaal, Khamosh, Daddy, and many more. She also starred in the superhit Doordarshan show Buniyaadbut a big mainstream break eluded her. However, right from her debut in Student of the Year, her daughter cracked the code of commercial success. Alia Bhatt's work in Highway, Raaziwhere she starred with Soni, Gully Boy, Dear Zindagiand more recently in Gangubai Kathiawadihas made her the darling of critics as well.

Her film company Eternal Sunshine Productions is also doing very well. In 1977, famous Italian auteur Franco Zeffirelli had wanted to cast Soni as Mary in the miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth. She did not land the part but life came full circle when her daughter starred in an international production, Heart of Stonein 2023.

Pooja Bedi - Alaya F

Pooja Bedi's iconic red dress from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandaris an unfading cinematic memory from the 80s. This was a decade, when she shaped popular culture with her appearances in a Baba Sehgal hit "Dil Dhadke" and also bold advertising campaigns. She also worked on her late mother Protima Bedi's memoir Time Pass, is a successful columnist and took a long break from acting to raise her children.

Her daughter Alaya F earned a diploma in acting at the New York Film Academy, made her debut in Jawaani Jaanemanand won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Interestingly her mother had been nominated for a Filmfare Award for Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandarbut did not win. Alaya is now experimenting with narratives like Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbatalong with commercial films. And just like Pooja, she too is on a unique creative trajectory.