How Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan turned Ba***ds of Bollywood event into a lesson on mixing business, branding and Bollywood

Aryan’s first project has already been labelled “fresh” and “unique” by industry insiders, including SRK himself.

When Shah Rukh Khan stepped on stage to unveil the trailer of The Ba***ds of Bollywood, all eyes weren’t just on the superstar. There was also Aryan Khan, who is making his much-awaited directorial debut. What unfolded that evening was more than just a launch. It was a glimpse into how the father-son duo is quietly shaping a new legacy that goes beyond traditional Bollywood stardom.

Aryan’s first project has already been labelled “fresh” and “unique” by industry insiders, including SRK himself. The superstar praised his son’s hard work and creative clarity. He even admitted that he initially struggled to grasp the tone of the show until Aryan’s vision pulled him in completely. For a man who has lived and breathed cinema for over three decades, that acknowledgment was not only fatherly pride but also a sign of respect for Aryan’s creative instincts.

But Aryan isn’t just following his father’s footsteps into cinema, he’s mixing business and branding with art. Over the past few years, Aryan has been building his entrepreneurial portfolio with ventures like the luxury lifestyle brand D’Yavol and his involvement with Slab Ventures.

These projects are more than passion investments. They showcase his sharp understanding of how branding, image-building, and storytelling go hand in hand.

This balance between creativity and commerce is where the father-son dynamic becomes fascinating. SRK, often described as one of India’s sharpest self-made brands, mastered the art of turning stardom into an empire - from Red Chillies Entertainment to his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

Aryan, on the other hand, is approaching branding from a generational lens, one that values exclusivity, lifestyle, and curated identity. Together, they represent two sides of the same coin: one shaped by traditional superstardom, the other by new-age global entrepreneurship.

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The launch night of The Ba***ds of Bollywood also reflected this synergy. Aryan appeared sharp and composed in his tailored look, representing the sleekness of his personal brand, while SRK’s warm wit and emotional words reminded fans of his charismatic, people-first approach.

As Aryan takes his first steps into storytelling, backed by SRK’s quiet mentorship, the industry is watching closely. Will he carry forward the Khan cinematic legacy or create an entirely new lane? If his current mix of business acumen and creative confidence is anything to go by, Aryan Khan may well be scripting a brand of stardom that feels both inherited and reinvented.