Ba***ds of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan said Aryan Khan doesn't have what it takes to be an actor', called son ‘his set-up for the future'

Indian Express

6 hours ago

The wait for fans eager to catch a glimpse of Aryan Khan's directorial debut The Ba***ds Of Bollywood will soon be over. Before the makers unveil the web show's teaser on Wednesday, we look back at moments when Shah Rukh Khan praised his son Aryan for his writing skills, while also openly pointing out his shortcomings as an actor.
After Aryan announced his directorial debut, an old clip of Shah Rukh from the promotions of his film Zero resurfaced online. In the clip, King Khan cheekily admitted that Aryan is his 'set up' for the future, while also revealing that his son has no interest in acting.
He said, 'My son does not want to act, he wants to make films. He writes a bit, and he writes quite well. He's learning to be a film director or writer.' He added, 'He is my set-up for the future. When no big director wants to work with me, I'll bring my own big director.'
'I'll bring my own big film director.' – Shah Rukh Khan in an interview 2019
Aryan is now currently working on his first project as a film director/writer#AryanKhan #ShahRuhKhan @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/NResK4DoJA
— Aryan Khan Source (@aryankhansource) April 7, 2023
Shah Rukh Khan spoke in detail about Aryan's future plans during his interaction with David Letterman, when the talk show host visited his Mumbai bungalow. In that conversation, SRK revealed that Aryan himself recognises that acting is not his forte.
He said, 'He (Aryan) doesn't have what it takes to be an actor and he realises that too, but he's a good writer. I think wanting to be an actor has to come from within. Something you really need to do and find a set of skill that helps you do it and learn it. But I think I realised it from him when he said that to me.'
Shah Rukh also admitted that Aryan feels the pressure of living up to his father's legacy and is wary of constant comparisons. 'He came to me and said, 'I don't think I want to act.' His issue was – which I think is practical and honest – he said, 'Every time I'll be compared to you… and I don't want to be in that position',' Shah Rukh had revealed.
Interestingly, while SRK has often expressed doubts about Aryan's ability to act in past interviews, fans have been going gaga over his screen presence, looks, and voice after watching the recent promotional video of The Ba**ds Of Bollywood*. The clip featured Aryan making a cameo to introduce his show, and fans were quick to point out that his screen presence is eerily similar to Shah Rukh's. Some even vouched for him to consider an acting debut.
Aryan had made his interests clear to SRK years ago, and the superstar respected his choice by encouraging him to focus on filmmaking instead. In an old interview, Shah Rukh recalled sending Aryan to celebrated cinematographer Ravi Varman to learn camera work, and explained why he never imposed acting on his son.
He said, 'I told him to learn whichever aspects of film he can go and learn… The other day I met (famed cinematographer) Ravi Varman, I told him go and learn camera (work) with him. He has been doing that.'
During the same interaction, Shah Rukh also stressed that he wants his children to carve out their own path and not ride on his stardom. 'As actors and filmmakers, my kids, in case they wish to come in, they have to bring something new. They can't live off the stuff their father has managed to do. It's important they bring in something new and if I impose myself, they won't be able to. Let them go and bring in something radical and strange. Wrong, maybe. But it should be newer than what I have been able to give,' the actor had said.