Sunny Deol's third directorial, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, is all set to release on September 20. What makes this film special is that with this movie, Sunny has taken it upon himself to launch his son, Karan, as an actor. This is quite an unusual move, since, while Sunny may have given big hits in the past as an actor, he doesn't have a great record as a director. His first film as a director was the 1999 film Dillagi, that starred him in the lead, along with Urmila Matondkar and younger brother Bobby Deol. Dillagi was a flop at the box office, but Sunny's handling of the film, the music and Bobby's performance had gotten good reviews. Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Making: Sunny Deol, Karan Deol and Sahher Bambba Brave Through Bad Weather and High Altitudes to Shoot for the Film (Watch Video).

After the failure of his dream project, it took Sunny 17 years to direct his next, Ghayal: Once Again. The sequel to his blockbuster film Ghayal, the movie was noted for its action sequences, but again, it failed to impress at the box office. Now with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Sunny Deol hopes to reverse his luck as a director. There is definitely going to be some curiosity about Karan, and his female lead, Sahher Bambba, that might help it at the box office. Also the visuals and the music look and sound impressive enough respectively. Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Trailer: Debutants Karan Deol and Sahher Bambba’s Love Saga Looks Promising (Watch Video).

Now Sunny Deol is among the many actors in Bollywood who have turned directors, which also includes Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Nandita Das, Konkona Sen Sharma et al. But how many actors have directed their son's debut film? In this special feature, let's look at four more memorable examples of stars trying to give that perfect launchpad for their kids.

Raj Kapoor - Rishi Kapoor

Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia during a break from the shoot of Bobby (Photo Credits: File Image)

Film: Bobby

Technically speaking, Rishi Kapoor has appeared as a younger version of Raj Kapoor in Mera Naam Joker, that also was directed by the late Raj Kapoor himself. But Bobby was Rishi Kapoor's debut as a lead, and it was a smash hit with its teeny-bopper love story and the iconic songs clicking well with the masses. Raj Kapoor had also directed Rishi's younger brother, Rajiv Kapoor's debut film, Ram Teri Ganga Maili. This film gained attention for lead actress Mandakini's dare-bare scenes and its songs, and was a hit too.

 

Sunil Dutt - Sanjay Dutt

Amjad Khan, Sunil and Sanjay Dutt during the premiere of Rocky (Photo Credits: File Image)

Film: Rocky

Like Rishi Kapoor, even Sanjay Dutt has acted as a child artiste in the 1971 film Reshma Aur Shera, that was directed by his father Sunil Dutt who was also the lead. Ten years later, Sanjay Dutt made his debut as a lead in Rocky, that was also directed by Sunil Dutt. The movie was a hit and launched Sanjay Dutt in a big way, though his career in the '80s was checkered by his drug-fuelled chaotic lifestyle.

Rakesh Roshan - Hrithik Roshan

Rakesh Roshan with Hrithik Roshan during the shoot of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (Photo Credits: File Image)

Film: Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai

... aka the star kid debut of the year. The other star kids, when they get a hit in their first movie, turns stars. Hrithik Roshan, on the other hand, turned into a superstar in his debut movie, a romantic thriller, that was directed by his father Rakesh Roshan, who used to be a popular actor once before he found a better calling in direction. Hrithik became so popular that he instantly became a big threat to the then box office kings, the Khans. Rakesh later directed his son in three more movies - Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish, Krrish 3 - and all were superhits.

Naseeruddin Shah - Imaad Shah

Naseeruddin Shah with Imaad (Photo Credits: File Image)

Film: Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota

Unlike the rest of this, Naseeruddin Shah's directorial debut didn't happen to launch his elder son, Imaad. Instead, Imaad was a part of an ensemble cast in this portmanteau film, that was led by Konkona Sen Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Paresh Rawal, Ratna Pathak Shah, Ayesha Takia and Jimmy Sheirgill. Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota flopped and Naseeruddin Shah never made a film after that. Imaad later played the lead in films like Dil Dosti Etc, Little Zizou,  M Cream, when not working with his band.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2019 10:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).