Behind the glamour and fame, some of the Bollywood’s brightest stars are grounded as their roots trace back to army households. Life in a fauji household is anything but ordinary. From early mornings, discipline and resilience to frequent transfers, values learned on the cantonment ground become the foundation for fame. Let’s take a look at the most loved Bollywood celebs – sons and daughters of brave Indian soldiers and officers and how the fauji world silently shaped their rise to stardom.
Priyanka Chopra
Global icon, Priyanka Chopra who landed with the Hollywood stars actually grew up in an army household. Both her parents, who were doctors in the Indian Army, shaped her outlook at life. Dr.Ashok Chopra, her father was her hero and role model. In 2020, she shared a picture of herself as a kid dressed in his uniform, captioning it as “#TBT to little Priyanka”. Clearly, she wanted to do all that her father did and more!
Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma had a tough childhood because her father, Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma not only served in the Indian Army but also fought in the Kargil War. She recalls how her mother was always worried and kept the news channel on throughout. In an interview, she proudly said, “I take pride in saying I am an Army officer’s daughter even more than being an actor.”
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar’s father, Hari Om Bhatia, was a soldier in the Indian Army. Even though his father left the army before Akshay was born, he was raised in a fauji household. He always woke him up at 5am for father-son jogging and till date, Akshay is an early riser, a habit which co-actors make fun of.
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta’s father, Durganand Zinta was an army officer who tragically passed away when she was just 13 Years old. She was raised with gritting resilience and discipline, a legacy that her father left and carried on by her brother, Deepankar ZInta. She fondly remembers how her father never wanted her to be dependent on anyone. He wanted her to be “the master of her own destiny.”
Lara Dutta
Flying high, Lara Dutta’s father, Wing Commander L.K Dutta, served in the Indian Air Force. It does not end there, he was also Indira Gandhi’s personal pilot! In an interview, she shared that she grew up listening to stories about her and over the time felt an indirect personal connection with her. We definitely see a reflection of those stories in her on screen portrayal of Indira Gandhi and we are in awe!
Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen’s father, Wing Commander Shubeer Sen served in the Indian Air Force. She recalls her father being the calm and spiritual one while her mother was the aggressive one. She admits taking after her father and having a spiritual side. She received strength and composure from him that led to winning the title of Miss Universe and inheriting the mantra “let it go.”
Final Words
Fame often blurs the line between reality and illusion, These stars are a reminder of real strength that comes from discipline, sacrifice and rooted values. We can say with conviction, before they learned to face the camera, they’d already mastered facing life head-on.
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