Growing up with parents who are highly successful or famous can significantly influence a child’s perception of their own identity. In a recent promotional event for the film “Peddi,” actors Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor shared insights on how their renowned parents, Chiranjeevi and Sridevi, made a conscious effort to keep their children insulated from the magnitude of their celebrity status during their formative years.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Ram Charan remarked, “From a young age, I was somewhat detached and unaware. If ignorance equates to happiness, then I exemplify that notion. I’ve never truly comprehended the weight of being associated with such fame. It’s not that I lacked confidence; rather, I simply overlooked it.” He elaborated that both families deliberately kept the entertainment industry separate from their domestic lives, stating, “Sridevi ma’am has always ensured that the allure of the film industry stayed outside our home.”
Ram further reminisced about the household rules regarding their father’s achievements, saying, “All awards and magazines were to remain at the office. We were quite intimidated by the thought of touching cinema-related publications. Thus, we had little understanding of how prominent our parents were in the industry. We only visited the film sets when invited by our father.” Despite his desire to pursue acting, he initially concealed his aspirations from his father. “I never disclosed my interest in acting; I perpetually claimed I wanted to be a mechanical engineer to gain his approval. I would study around him, pretending to be focused on cars and engineering. However, acting was always my true ambition. I feared he would disapprove and urge me to focus on my studies. Eventually, when he deemed I was ready and doing well academically, he supported my decision.”
Janhvi Kapoor shared similar experiences regarding her own mother. Reflecting on her upbringing, she stated, “As I began working in the industry, I started to realize the significance of her persona to the public. She kept us largely shielded from that.” For Janhvi, her mother’s remarkable traits had little to do with her celebrity status. “To us, her most extraordinary actions included going to the fish market on Fridays to choose the pomfret for our meals, which we found impressive. She took pride in these everyday tasks, thus keeping that aspect of her life quite separate from ours.”
Psychologist Rasshi Gurnani explained to indianexpress.com, “Children raised in environments where their parents’ fame or success is not emphasized tend to develop a stronger sense of individuality instead of merely being seen as an extension of their parents. This environment fosters a healthy exploration of self, allowing children to pursue their interests and values.”
Moreover, this approach alleviates the pressure to conform to external expectations from an early age. Gurnani noted that children permitted to have a relatively ordinary upbringing often cultivate a more robust internal sense of self-worth, as their confidence stems from personal experiences and achievements rather than inherited accolades. This foundation can lead to enhanced resilience, authenticity, and emotional independence over time.
Young adulthood is a pivotal period for identity formation. Gurnani emphasized, “This is the time when individuals begin to ask critical questions about their own identities, values, and aspirations. If a young person constantly measures themselves against their parent’s accomplishments, they risk spending years pursuing a version of success that belongs to someone else, rather than discovering their own unique path.”
She pointed out that ongoing comparisons to a highly accomplished parent can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety, fostering the belief that their efforts will never suffice. Cultivating an independent identity allows young adults to set goals that resonate with their personal strengths and ambitions, resulting in a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is genuinely meaningful.
“In the end, a robust sense of identity emerges when individuals are allowed the freedom to narrate their own stories. While a family legacy may provide opportunities and inspiration, true confidence arises from the understanding that one’s achievements, decisions, and personal growth are entirely their own,” Gurnani concluded.
