Aryan Khan's Directorial Debut Earns Acclaim with Star-Studded Cast
Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan has successfully ventured into direction with his debut project 'The Ba***ds Of Bollywood', which has been receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews across the internet. The show features Lakshya Lalwani in the lead role, supported by cameo appearances from numerous Bollywood heavyweights including Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Shah Rukh Khan himself. However, it was Raghav Juyal and Manoj Pahwa who emerged as scene-stealers with their exceptional comic timing and memorable performances.
Manoj Pahwa's Initial Reluctance and Eventual Participation
Interestingly, Manoj Pahwa's involvement in the project was far from straightforward. The veteran actor initially declined the offer when first approached by Aryan Khan, responding with the now-famous line, "Hoga bada apne ghar mein..." Reflecting on their initial conversation during an interview with Mashable India, Pahwa revealed, "Aryan made me do things I have never done before. I didn't give any audition for that role. He simply called me and told me he wanted me to do it. I had refused him at first."
Pahwa explained his reservations stemmed from the production team's reluctance to share the script. "I had asked for the script, but my manager told me that they weren't giving the show's script to anybody. That put me off. I am from Delhi, so I was like, 'I won't do it either. Hoga apne ghar ka, hum bhi kam nahi hai.' I had done a few films with Shah Rukh, but we didn't share any major personal bond," he shared candidly.
The Turning Point: Script Access and Creative Collaboration
The situation took an unexpected turn about a week later when Pahwa's manager informed him that the production team had sent four different scripts for his review. After reading the material and finding it genuinely appealing, Pahwa agreed to meet the team. During this meeting, they made an unusual request: "Please don't tell anyone we gave you the script because we haven't shared it with any other actors. We sent it to you only because you had refused the role," they revealed to him.
Once officially on board, Pahwa discovered that Aryan Khan would consistently challenge him as an actor. "After he finally convinced me, he made me do things that are still getting strong reactions from the audience," Pahwa noted. He recalled humorous moments from the sets where he would occasionally object to certain directions, only to have Aryan respond with, "Achha lagega, sir!"
Pahwa particularly remembered being pushed outside his comfort zone with dialogue delivery. "He made me abuse so much, I wasn't comfortable with it. Aryan told me, 'Sir, aapke mooh se gaali achhi lagti hai.' As an actor, I can only suggest things. The final verdict is always the director's," he explained, highlighting Aryan's firm directorial vision.
Memorable Moments and Shah Rukh Khan's Supportive Presence
Despite his initial hesitation, Pahwa expressed immense satisfaction with the final product. "I am very happy with the way he made the show. It turned out great and became extremely popular. They paid us fully and treated us with a lot of respect," he stated, acknowledging the professional and respectful working environment.
Pahwa also fondly recalled Shah Rukh Khan's frequent visits to the sets to support his son. "Shah Rukh sir was extremely kind on set. He would often say, 'Come to Mannat, daaru peete hai (let's have alcohol),'" Pahwa shared with a laugh, offering a glimpse into the warm and encouraging atmosphere fostered by the superstar father.
Standout Performance and Lasting Impact
Manoj Pahwa's portrayal in the series has become one of its most talked-about elements, with his 'ghanta ka Badshah' dialogue directed at Shah Rukh Khan emerging as a major highlight. His journey from initial refusal to delivering a memorable performance underscores the compelling narrative behind Aryan Khan's successful directorial debut, which has managed to blend established star power with fresh directorial vision to create a widely appreciated entertainment product.
