Veteran actor Manoj Pahwa has revealed that he had creative disagreements with debutant director Aryan Khan during the filming of the streaming series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'. The actor, who played the role of Lakshya's uncle in the show, expressed his discomfort with the excessive use of foul language and a particular dialogue aimed at Shah Rukh Khan.
Creative Clashes on Set
In a candid interview on the YouTube channel 'Khaane Mein Kya Hai', Pahwa disclosed that he and Aryan Khan had a "bit of disagreement" on a couple of occasions. The primary point of contention was the script's reliance on abusive language. Pahwa recalled questioning the need for so many expletives, even humorously referring to his character as an "uncouth fellow" because of it.
He quoted his exact words to Aryan: "Main bola itni gaali vaali yaar, matlab mereko thodi si… Itna badtameez aadmi." According to Pahwa, the young director was persistent in his vision, assuring him, "Sir, believe me, it will look nice. Trust me."
The Dialogue About Shah Rukh Khan
Another significant moment of hesitation for the seasoned actor was a dialogue where he had to refer to Shah Rukh Khan as "ghante ka badshah". Pahwa was not comfortable with the line, feeling it was disrespectful. However, Aryan Khan managed to convince him by revealing that his father, Shah Rukh Khan himself, had read the script and approved.
"He said, ‘Dad ne script padhi hui hai. Aapke mooh se gali badi achi lagti hai. Dad ne bola hai yeh rakhna zaroor,'" Pahwa shared, explaining that SRK felt abusive words sounded effective coming from Pahwa's character and had insisted on keeping them in.
About 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'
The show, which marked the directorial debut of Aryan Khan, premiered on a streaming platform on September 18, 2025. It features an ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, Manish Chaudhari, Raghav Juyal, Anya Singh, and Rajat Bedi.
The series also boasted special appearances from a galaxy of Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, SS Rajamouli, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Emraan Hashmi, making it one of the most anticipated digital releases of the year.
Pahwa's revelations offer a glimpse into the collaborative, and sometimes challenging, process of filmmaking, especially when a new director is steering a project with veteran actors. It highlights Aryan Khan's confidence in his creative decisions, backed by the counsel of his superstar father.
