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The wave of star-kid debuts continues to rise in Tollywood, as yet another generation from the industry’s iconic families steps into the spotlight. Recently, the Nandamuri family introduced their fourth-generation heir — Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao — who is teaming up with director YVS Choudhary, adding to the ever-expanding list of Tollywood’s “nepo kids.” Simultaneously, the Ghatamaneni clan welcomed Jayakrishna, son of the late Ramesh Babu and nephew of superstar Mahesh Babu. Launching on the birth anniversary of legendary actor Krishna, Jayakrishna will make his debut in a romantic entertainer directed by Ajay Bhupathi. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await the launch of Nandamuri Mokshagna, son of Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is reportedly preparing for a high-budget debut. These developments only reaffirm that family legacies continue to shape the Telugu film industry.

“I don’t see anything wrong with the new generation carrying forward the legacy of their fathers and grandfathers,” says veteran writer-director Kona Venkat. “Icons like NTR, ANR, and Chiranjeevi worked relentlessly for decades to secure their place in cinema history. Many started with nothing—no support, no food, not even a roof over their heads. Their legacy was built purely on hard work and struggle,” he adds.

Following Chiranjeevi’s meteoric rise to superstardom, his son Ram Charan and nephew Allu Arjun have successfully carved out their own paths. Other family members like Sai Dharam Tej and Varun Tej have experienced both highs and lows but continue to remain active in the industry. The Akkineni family, too, remains a dominant force with Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya, Akhil Akkineni, Sumanth, and Sushanth carrying forward the legacy. Likewise, the Daggubati family has produced stars like Venkatesh and Rana Daggubati, though Rana’s brother Abhiram struggled to find success with his debut, Ahimsa.

“Telugu fans are among the most passionate,” Kona Venkat observes. “They tear their shirts in celebration, queue outside theatres, and create a frenzy rarely seen in Bollywood. Once a fan base and multiple fan associations are established for a star, that loyalty often extends to the next generation. While some manage to uphold the legacy, others may not — but ultimately, it’s the audience that decides. Legacy offers a platform, not guaranteed success, though I refrain from naming anyone,” he remarks.

Interestingly, the daughters from these film families are also making their mark behind the scenes. Sushmita Konidela (daughter of Chiranjeevi) and Tejaswini Nandamuri (daughter of Balakrishna) actively co-produce their fathers’ film projects. Niharika Konidela, daughter of Naga Babu, has also successfully ventured into production with Committee Kurrollu. “I wish more young women from these families would take up production. They understand the complexities of star-driven projects, and their involvement can significantly benefit the industry,” says Venkat.

However, as the dominance of film families grows, concerns naturally arise about whether newcomers without any lineage are being sidelined. Kona Venkat disagrees: “Actors like Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Vijay Deverakonda, Naveen Polishetty, and Nikhil Siddhartha are proof that there’s space for everyone in the industry.”

The legacy baton seems ready to extend even further. Sithara Ghattamaneni, daughter of Mahesh Babu, is already endorsing major brands, while his son Gautam made a cameo appearance in 1: Nenokkadine. Venkatesh’s son Arjun is also rumored to be preparing for his debut. “It’s too early to talk about them,” Kona Venkat says, suggesting that the next generation of stars is only just getting started.