When Sridevi fell on the set of 'Lamhe' because of Farhan Akhtar; latter recalls "I thought my career was over" 

Farhan Akhtar recalls when Sridevi fell on the floor because of him

Filmmaker, actor, and producer Farhan Akhtar is celebrated today as one of Bollywood’s most versatile and respected talents.

But long before Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On!!, or Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Farhan was just a nervous 17-year-old trying to find his place on a film set — and one small mistake nearly ended his career before it even began.

During a recent appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, the 120 Bahadur actor looked back on his early days in the industry, sharing a story that involved none other than the legendary Sridevi — a memory that, even decades later, he remembers vividly.

The incident took place on the sets of Yash Chopra’s Lamhe (1991), where Farhan was working as one of several assistants to the renowned cinematographer Manmohan Singh.

“I was Man Ji’s seventh or eighth assistant,” Farhan recalled. “It was a passionate dance sequence choreographed by Saroj Ji. While Sridevi was rehearsing, Manmohan Singh noticed a stain on the wooden floor and asked someone to clean it. Since I was closest, I ran to wipe it off,” he said.

Also Read: Boney Kapoor on late wife Sridevi's hidden talent: "She was hiding a filmmaker in herself"

What happened next left young Farhan horrified. “I bent down to clean the floor, coordinating with Man Ji, when she (Sridevi) walked over, slipped and fell. I still remember it in slow motion — Sridevi flying in the air and hitting the floor,” he shared.

As the superstar fell, silence engulfed the entire set. “The whole unit froze. I thought, ‘This is it, my career is over,’” Farhan said, laughing nervously as he recalled the moment that nearly sent him packing before his journey had even started.

Sridevi’s kindness that saved the day
But true to her grace and poise, Sridevi handled the situation beautifully. “Instead of reacting angrily, she smiled and simply said, ‘It’s okay, it happens.’ Everyone followed her lead and started laughing. That is when I finally breathed again,” he said with relief.

Looking back, Farhan says that moment taught him more than any film school could. “I will always be thankful to Sridevi — I truly believe I owe my career to her,” he added.

Decades later, Farhan Akhtar has established an impressive career as an actor, producer, writer, and director. The true story of 120 valiant Indian soldiers who fought at Rezang La served as the inspiration for his upcoming war drama, 120 Bahadur.

On November 21, 2025, the movie is scheduled to open in theatres.