
Farida Jalal, a veteran actor who has shared a long and warm association with Shah Rukh Khan, recently weighed in on Aryan Khan’s much-talked-about directorial debut, The Ba**ds of Bollywood. In a candid interview with Zoom, Farida offered a balanced and honest take on the series, welcoming Aryan to the industry while also pointing out that there was room for growth.
Farida Jalal, who will next be seen in Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film O Romeo, has worked closely with Shah Rukh Khan in iconic films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Her comments therefore carry the weight of both experience and familiarity with the Khan family. When asked whether she had watched Aryan Khan’s debut project, Farida confirmed that she had and was happy to see him step into the world of storytelling.
Welcoming Aryan to the industry, Farida said warmly, “Welcome home! Yahin ke toh hai, aur kahan jayenge?” She added that she genuinely liked the series, but did not shy away from offering constructive criticism. Sharing her honest opinion, she said, “Theek tha, it was okay. He could have done it better, but accha toh tha.” Her words reflected a mentor-like tone rather than harsh judgment, acknowledging the effort while encouraging improvement.
Aryan Khan’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood has been one of the most anticipated projects in recent times, largely because it marks his first major step behind the camera. The show was officially announced on February 3, 2025, and is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. Aryan co-created the series with Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan, who also share writing credits with him.
At the teaser launch event, Shah Rukh Khan shared a light-hearted anecdote about Aryan and Suhana’s childhood, giving audiences a glimpse into the environment they grew up in. “The environment where Suhana and Aryan grew up—they used to see Adi (Aditya Chopra), Hrithik (Roshan), and Karan (Johar) at our house all the time. They used to wonder, ‘Sab kya TV pe kaam karte hai?’” he said, drawing laughs from the audience.
Shah Rukh Khan also revealed that many actors agreed to be part of Aryan’s show purely out of affection and respect for him, underlining the goodwill he enjoys within the industry. The Ba**ds of Bollywood features an ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Raghav Juyal, Gautami Kapoor, and Manoj Pahwa. The series has received applause from both critics and viewers, positioning Aryan Khan as a promising new voice in Bollywood, even as seasoned voices like Farida Jalal gently remind him that there is always room to do better.
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