The Incident That Almost Ended a Career Before It Began
In a recent heartfelt revelation, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar shared a terrifying moment from his early days in Bollywood that nearly ended his career before it even started. The incident occurred back in 1991 when a 17-year-old Farhan was working as an assistant to cinematographer Manmohan Singh on Yash Chopra's iconic romantic musical Lamhe.
When the Set Froze: The Sridevi Fall
During his appearance on Aap Ki Adalat with India TV, Farhan described the moment that still haunts him. "Main kaun hota hoon Sridevi ko girane wala!" he exclaimed, recalling his immediate reaction to the accident. The scene involved a passionate dance sequence choreographed by the legendary Saroj Khan, where Sridevi had to express anger and pain through movement after receiving bad news.
The tension began when cinematographer Manmohan Singh noticed a stain on the wooden floor during Sridevi's rehearsal. "As the closest person available, I rushed to clean the stain," Farhan explained. "I was bent down, coordinating with Man ji, when Sridevi walked over and suddenly slipped."
What followed remains etched in Farhan's memory like slow-motion footage. "I still remember Sridevi flying through the air and hitting the floor. The entire set froze in that moment. I was convinced that my career in films was over at just 17 years old."
Grace Under Pressure: Sridevi's Heartwarming Response
Instead of the expected anger or frustration from one of Bollywood's biggest stars, Sridevi responded with remarkable grace and understanding. "She just smiled and said, 'It's okay, it happens,'" Farhan recalled with evident gratitude.
Her calm reaction immediately changed the atmosphere on set. "Everyone followed her lead and started laughing. That's when I finally breathed again," he shared. This incident not only saved a potentially disastrous situation but also taught the young filmmaker an invaluable lesson about professionalism and compassion in the industry.
From Near-Disaster to Directorial Debut
After completing his work on Lamhe, Farhan transitioned into advertising before making his landmark directorial debut ten years later with Dil Chahta Hai in 2001. The film went on to become a cult classic and established Farhan as a significant creative force in Indian cinema.
Reflecting on his journey from that frightening moment to his successful career, Farhan expressed profound gratitude toward Sridevi. "I will always be thankful to Sridevi—I truly believe I owe my career to her," he stated emotionally, acknowledging how her compassionate response allowed him to continue pursuing his dreams in filmmaking.
This revelation offers a rare glimpse into the human side of Bollywood, where a superstar's kindness during a difficult moment helped shape the career of one of contemporary Indian cinema's most influential creators.
