Father’s Day 2026: Ram Charan to Dulquer Salmaan — 7 South Indian Actors Following In The Footsteps Of Their Fathers

Father’s Day is observed every year on the third Sunday of June, and in 2026 it falls on June 16. The occasion celebrates fatherhood and highlights the important role fathers and father figures play in our lives. On this Father’s Day, we take a look at some of the most popular father-son duos in the South Indian film industry. These iconic pairs have left a lasting impact on cinema, entertaining audiences with their performances while also carving out their own individual legacies. From Ram Charan, son of Chiranjeevi, to Dulquer Salmaan, son of Mammootty, here’s a look at some of South Indian cinema’s most well-known father-son duos.

Veteran actor  and his son, pan-India star Dulquer Salmaan, are among the most celebrated father-son duos in Malayalam cinema. Mammootty, is one of Indian cinema’s most prolific superstars, with a career spanning over five decades. His son, Dulquer Salmaan, is a successful actor and producer who enjoys a strong fan base across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi industries. Their first notable collaboration came with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, where Mammootty contributed as a voice-over artist playing Moothon.

Megastar Chiranjeevi and his son, Global Star Ram Charan, are among the most iconic figures in Telugu cinema. Chiranjeevi, born Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, is a Padma Vibhushan awardee and is regarded as the Megastar, Meanwhile Ram Charan shot to global fame with RRR. The father-son duo has appeared together on screen in a few projects, ranging from cameo roles to full-fledged collaborations. Their most notable film together is Acharya (2022), which marked their first major on-screen appearance in leading roles.

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated actors. His son, Pranav Mohanlal, has also chosen a career in films. Pranav first appeared on screen as a child artist, playing the younger version of his father in the 2002 film Onnaman. Years later, he made his debut as a lead actor with Aadhi (2018), a film backed by Mohanlal. Pranav was last seen in Dies Irae and continues to work on selective projects, maintaining a relatively low-profile.

Superstar Mahesh Babu hails from a celebrated Tollywood film family. His father, the legendary actor Ghattamaneni Krishna (1943–2022), was one of Telugu cinema’s most iconic figures, having appeared in over 350 films throughout his illustrious career. Mahesh Babu made his debut as a lead actor with Raja Kumarudu in 1999. Since then, he has taken forward his family’s cinematic legacy, delivering several blockbuster.

Sivakumar was well known in the 1970s and 1980s for his strong performances and his deep interest in Tamil literature. His son Suriya initially established himself as an action hero before evolving into a highly respected actor known for his powerful performances. Some of his notable films include Ghajini and, more recently, Karuppu. Suriya’s brother Karthi has also built a strong fan base of his own. He is a successful and versatile actor, with acclaimed films such as Ponniyin Selvan and Meiyazhagan.

Akkineni Nagarjuna is known for his versatility across romance, action, and devotional roles. Over a career spanning four decades, he has built a strong legacy in Telugu film industry. His son, Naga Chaitanya, continues the Akkineni family tradition, getting inspiration from both his father, Nagarjuna, and his grandfather, legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya have also shared the screen in two notable Telugu films Manam and Bangarraju which show their real-life father-son bond.