While the debate around nepotism in Bollywood continues to trend on social media, it is worth noting that not all star kids have found success in the industry. Some of them have been overburdened by the legacy of their parents and thus fallen short of expectations of the audiences. One such former actor is Puru Raaj Kumar, the son of the legendary late actor Raaj Kumar, who was indeed a powerhouse in Indian cinema, and his presence often guaranteed a film’s success.
Known for his distinctive dialogue delivery and intense screen presence, he left an indelible mark with performances in iconic films like Pakeezah, Neel Kamal, Paigam, Waqt, Heer Ranjha, Saudagar, Tiranga and many more. Puru Raaj Kumar had the advantage of a strong film background and a promising debut, but his career never managed to take off as expected. Born into Bollywood royalty, Puru had access to the industry’s inner circles, and his father’s legacy set high expectations for him.
Puru made his acting debut in 1996 with Bal Bramhachari, which co-starred Karisma Kapoor. Despite the buzz around his launch, the film failed to make a mark, and Puru’s performance did not resonate with audiences in the way his father’s legendary performances had. The charm and screen presence that Raaj Kumar was famous for didn’t translate in the same way for Puru.
In 1996, he was part of Shivalay Production’s film Raghuvanshi. The movie featured several renowned actors, including Raaj Kumar, Manisha Koirala, and Raz.