15 Famous Sister Trios Who Made An Impact In Bollywood
Posted On: 01 Jun 2021 | Last Updated : 08 Mar 2022 | Views : 4.8k
Bollywood has faced a lot of flak in recent times for its nepotism and sibling introduction and promotion within the industry. It has often witnessed giving breaks to already established celebrity siblings rather than opportunities to outsiders. But the fact remains that nothing succeeds like success and if you are talented enough no one can stop you from attaining fame. Actors and actresses’ siblings working in Bollywood is not an uncommon phenomenon as the industry has lots of duo brother and sister siblings working as actors or actresses. When it comes to trio brother and sister sibling actors and actresses in Bollywood it's very rare and hard to recall many of them, especially the latter. Let’s look at some of the sister's trios in Bollywood or notable trio sister siblings who were born from the same parents.
(Note: We haven’t included Mukherjee Sisters - Kajol, Tanishaa, Rani, Sharbani, Chopra Sisters Priyanka, Parineeti, Mannara, Meera as they’re cousins and Bhatt sisters – Pooja, Shaheen & Alia as they are from different mothers. Do let us know if we have left out any other famous trio sister siblings from the past or present who have contributed in their own way towards Bollywood.)
1. Mangeshkar Sisters – Lata, Meena, Asha & Usha
Undoubtedly, Bollywood’s most iconic and legendary musical family, the Mangeshkar sisters included Lata Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar, Asha Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar. If at all one would analyze the top 10 real-life sisters in Bollywood it would be the first musical family of the Mangeshkar's. Born to the late Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar, the contribution of the Mangeshkar sisters to Bollywood music has been huge and unparallel since the 1940s to date. More than playing cameos in films, the Mangeshkar sisters have been known for their versatile playback singing while brother Hridayanath is known as a music composer in Bollywood.
2. Cooper Sisters – Patience, Violet & Pearl
The Cooper sisters namely Patience, Violet and Pearl were actresses who were pretty popular in the silent and early talkie era. Belonging from an Anglo-Indian family from Calcutta, Patience was a star in her own right who played the lead in over 40 films including Nala Damayanti (1920), Vishnu Avtar (1921), Pati Bhakti (1922), etc. Younger sisters Violet and Pearl Cooper appeared in films like Kismet Ka Shikar (1934), Bulbul-E-Iran (1936), Wayda (1940) and Shahi Khazana (1946). Though not much is known about the youngest Cooper sister, but Patience Cooper married actor Gul Hamid and later migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and changed her name to Sabira Begum post-marriage.
3. Travancore Sisters - Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
Who can forget yesteryears famous Travancore sisters – Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini? The trio sister siblings were not only famous for their on-screen acting but also their dancing skills who appeared in multi-language films including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Among the three siblings, Padmini gained more popularity in Bollywood and is remembered for her performances in films like Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Kalpana, Kaajal and Mera Naam Joker. Eldest sister Lalitha appeared only in one Hindi film which was Kalpana while Ragini acted in films like Mr. X, Amar Deep, Shikari and Kinare Kinare, etc.
4. Dehlavi Sisters - Madhubala, Chanchal & Madhur
Born to Ataullah Khan and Meher Jahan Begum, the Dehlavi sisters including Madhubala, Chanchal and Madhur were actresses who worked in the same as well as different films. The most popular of the three was Madhubala who started acting in films at a very early age to support her family. Fifth among the eleven siblings, Madhubala first appeared as a child artist in Basant in 1942 and thereafter graduated to lead roles in films like Mahal (1949), Tarana (1951), Amar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. 55 (1955), Shirin Farhad (1956), Kala Pani (1958), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), etc. Madhubala’s younger sister Chanchal also acted in films like Pardes (1950), Naata (1955), Mother India (1957) and Jhumroo (1961) and was a known actress. Youngest sister Madhur was to be launched in a film titled Saanjhi in 1976 opposite Vikram and Kabir Bedi which never released. Later, she appeared in a film titled Sangdill (1981) opposite Vikram and lent her vocals for a song in the controversial film Kissaa Kursee Kaa (1977).
5. Baksh Sisters – Khursheed Jr., Meena Kumari & Madhu
Born to lesser-known yesteryear actor and composer Ali Bux and his wife Iqbal Begum, the Baksh sisters were well known by their screen names - Khursheed Jr., Meena Kumari & Madhu (Malika). The eldest of the three Khursheed Jr. (who was often confused with the famous actress-singer Khursheed Begum) acted in films like Zamin (1943), Aashirwad (1943), Parakh (1944), Dr. Kumar (1944), Stunt King (1944), Naghma-e-Sahara (1945) and Ret Mahal (1949). Her younger sister Meena Kumari was a big star of the 50s & 60s who played the lead in films like Baiju Bawra (1952), Azaad (1955), Yahudi (1958), Kohinoor (1960), Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Kaajal (1965) and Pakeezah (1972). The youngest sister Madhu (Malika) who married comedian Mehmood acted in films like Manzil (1960) and Kinare Kinare (1963). She is the mother of singer Lucky Ali.
6. Begum Sisters (I) – Nasreen, Shakila & Noor
Many may not know about the Begum actress sisters - Shakila, Noor and Nasreen who had contributed to the silver screen during the 40s, 50s and 60s. Shakila was a known lead actress of her time who appeared in movies like Aar Paar, CID, Kali Topi Lal Rumal and China Town. Shakila’s elder sister Nasreen too was an actress known for films like Shahjehan (1946), Shriman Satyawadi (1960) and Tel Malish Boot Polish (1961). Youngest sister Noor (Noorjahan) was an actress who appeared in Anjan Hai Koyee (1969), Adhikar (1954) and Hulchul (1971) and was married to the well-known comedian-actor, Johnny Walker.
7. Irani Sisters – Menka, Daisy & Honey
Well, many might not know about the Irani sisters Menka, Daisy and Honey, one of the oldest and most famous on-screen sister trios of Bollywood. Known more for their child artiste acts in films, Menka Irani had acted in a few films including Bachpan (1963), and later married filmmaker and actor Kamran Khan and had two children – Farah Khan and Sajid Khan. Daisy Irani, who was famous as a child artiste too has worked in films like Bandish, Jagte Raho, Bhai Bhai and Naya Daur. She also is known for playing mother to Boman Irani in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi and Happy New Year. Honey Irani too acted as a child artiste in movies like Zameen Ke Tare and Pyar Ki Pyas before marrying Javed Akhtar in 1972 and later turning towards screenwriting and direction. Zoya Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar are her children.
8. Kolhapure Sisters – Shivangi, Padmini & Tejaswini
Another famous sibling of Hindi cinema is the Kolhapure sisters – Shivangi, Padmini, and Tejaswini Kolhapure. The Kolhapure sister trios are rated among the top 10 real-life sisters in Hindi film Industry who were born to Pandharinath Kolhapure and Anupama Kolhapure. Shivangi, the eldest of the three sisters is an actress who appeared in the Mithun Chakraborty - Ranjeeta starrer film Kismat (1980) and lent her vocals for songs in Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Ishk Ishk Ishk, and Baazi. She is married to actor Shakti Kapoor and has a son Siddharth Kapoor and daughter Shraddha Kapoor. Second sister Padmini Kolhapure is an actress and singer too who appeared as a lead in Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, Vidhaata, Souten, and Pyar Jhukta Nahin. Tejaswini, the youngest of the three siblings made her acting debut in Anurag Kashyap’s controversial film Paanch and later appeared in films like Raavan, Mumbai Cutting, and Ugly.
9. Kapadia Sisters – Dimple, Simple & Reem
The Kapadia sister trio comprised of Dimple Kapadia, Simple Kapadia and Reem Kapadia who acted in Bollywood movies at different points in time. Dimple became an overnight sensation with the release of Raj Kapoor's Bobby in 1973 and got married to reigning superstar Rajesh Khanna the same year. She quit films thereafter only to make a comeback in 1984 opposite Jeetendra in Zakhmi Sher. Dimple’s younger sister Simple Kapadia made her acting debut opposite real-life brother-in-law Rajesh Khanna in Anurodh in 1977 and went on to feature in films like Lootmaar, Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, Jeevan Dhaara and Pyaar Ke Do Pal before taking up costume designing for films. Simple died of cancer in 2009. Youngest sister Reem Kapadia appeared in only one film opposite Rakesh Roshan called Haveli in 1985 and thereafter took up costume designing for films like her elder sister Simple. Reem Kapadia died after consuming an overdose of drugs in 2000.
10. Patwardhan Sisters – Bhagyashree, Madhuvanti & Purnima
Bhagyashree Patwardhan who became a household name along with Salman Khan after the release of Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989, has two younger siblings Madhuvanti Patwardhan and Purnima Patwardhan who also acted in Bollywood films. Many don’t know that the sister trio hailed from the royal family of Sangli in Maharashtra where her father, Vijay Singhrao Madhavrao Patwardhan is the Raja of Sangli. Bhagyashree being the eldest of three sisters also appeared in lesser-known movies like Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul, Tyagi, Paayal and Humko Deewana Kar Gaye whereas Madhuvanti featured as the female lead in the Govinda starrer Do Ankhen Barah Hath in 1997. Purnima appeared as a child artiste in Ravindra Peepat’s Hum To Chale Pardes in 1988 and the female lead in Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love in 2003.
11. Reddy Sisters – Meghna, Sushama & Sameera
Meghna Reddy, Sushama Reddy and Sameera Reddy are another popular sister trio of Bollywood who had a short-acting career. Eldest sister Meghna Reddy was a former VJ, supermodel and actress who had featured in a film called Auroville 316 while middle-sister Sushama Reddy too was a model before featuring in films like Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets, Don: The Chase Begins Again and Chup Chup Ke. Sushma co-produced the 2010 Hindi film Dus Tola. Youngest sister Sameera Reddy acted majorly in Hindi and a few Tamil, Telugu and Bengali films. Some of her famous Hindi films were Musafir, Plan, Tezz, De Dhana Dhan and Race.
12. Mohan Sisters – Neeti, Shakti & Mukti
The Mohan sisters – Neeti, Shakti & Mukti is another set of sister trio siblings who have made inroads in Bollywood. Born to parents Brij Mohan Sharma and Kusum Sharma and famous for their singing as well as acting skills, the talented and eldest Neeti Mohan rose to prominence after singing Ishq Wala Love from Student of the Year and Jiya Re from Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012. Shakti Mohan has appeared in reality dance shows on TV and appeared in films like Tees Maar Khan, Rowdy Rathore and Street Dancer 3D whereas Mukti has featured in TV shows and appeared in movies like Blood Brothers, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster, Hate Story, etc. Kriti Mohan is the fourth sibling who is yet to make her Bollywood debut.
13. Dandekar Sisters – Shibani, Anusha & Apeksha
Shibani Dandekar is the eldest of the Dandekar sister trio who is a singer, actress and anchor. Before joining Bollywood, she hosted several TV shows and events including the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Subsequently, she graduated to the big screen by getting noticed in films like Roy, Shaandaar, Sultan, Naam Shabana and Noor. Anusha Dandekar too is a VJ, actress and singer and best known for featuring in films like Mumbai Matinee, Viruddh, Hello and Delhi Belly. Youngest sister Apeksha Dandekar too followed suit by appearing as playback singer and performer in Wedding Pullav, Singh Is Bliing, Baby and Bheja Fry 2.
14. Kakar Sisters – Akriti, Sukriti & Prakriti
The Kakar sisters are the latest entrant in this list of Bollywood sister trio siblings who have carved a niche for themselves in film music. Born and brought up in a musical family in Delhi, Akriti Kakar who is the eldest of the three is a composer cum singer and is known for hit numbers like Saturday Saturday from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Marjani from Billu, Iski Uski from 2 States. Twins Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar too are singers in their own right with hit songs like Pehli Baar from Dil Dhadakne Do, Kar Gayi Chull from Kapoor & Sons, Lakk Mera Hit from Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Katra Katra from Alone, Hawaa Hawaa from Mubarakan, Dil Ka Darzi from Stree, respectively.
15. Begum Sisters (II) - Zudeida, Sultana & Shahzadi
Born to Bollywood’s first woman director Fatma Begum, daughters Zudeida Begum, Sultana Begum, and Shahzadi Begum were all reputed actresses in the 20s, 30s & 40s. Though the sisters belonged to the Sachin State of Nawabs, they were among the few girls who entered films at a young age when acting in films was not considered an appropriate profession. Zubeida a.k.a. Zubeida Begum Dhanrajgir was one of the top lead actresses of her times who appeared in many hits like Sati Sardarba (1924), Bulbul-E-Paristan (1926), Alam Ara (1931), Veer Abhimanyu (1931), Rashk-E-Laila (1934), Devdas (1937), Mirza Sahiban (1939) & others. The second sister Sultana Begum was known for acting in movies like known for Gul-E-Bakavali (1924), Indrasabha (1925), Bulbul-E-Paristan (1926), Bhola Shikar (1930), Noor-E-Watan (1930), Kamroo Desh Ki Kamini (1935), Talwar Ka Dhani (1938) and others. Whereas youngest sister Shahzadi appeared in films like Shikari (1932), Insaf Ki Tope (1934), Sinhal Dweep Ki Sundari (1937), Hurricane Special (1939), Jhoola (1941), Lieutenant (1944), etc.
