Farah Khan reveals she was offered a whopping Rs 10 crore to cast her son in Happy New Year, ‘I will never do this’

Farah Khan promptly declined the offer, opting instead to cast Vivaan Shah, son of esteemed actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, in the role.

Farah Khan, a stalwart in the film industry with a career spanning decades, recently shared a fascinating anecdote about her principles in casting decisions. During a casual lunch at her home with comedian Zakir Khan, she reminisced about a significant offer she once received. A producer had approached her with a staggering Rs 10 crore proposal to cast his son in the Shah Rukh Khan-led film, Happy New Year. Farah Khan, known for her integrity and firm principles, promptly declined the offer, opting instead to cast Vivaan Shah, son of esteemed actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, in the role.

Reflecting on the incident, Farah called herself Jhansi Ki Rani, “You won’t believe it, but during Happy New Year, a producer offered me Rs 10 crore to cast his son. Being a ‘Jhansi Ki Rani,’ I said, ‘I will never do this.’ I won’t do injustice to the film. What if Shah Rukh gets to know that I took Rs 10 crore to cast him in the film? Never, I won’t do that. I took Vivaan Shah in the film because I thought I will take the person who fits perfectly in the character and the film.”

Happy New Year, released in 2014, marked Farah Khan's fourth and final directorial venture. Preceded by Tees Maar Khan, Main Hoon Na, and Om Shanti Om, this action-comedy was her third collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan. Produced by Gauri Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment, the film also featured Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles.

Despite a substantial budget of Rs 140 crore, Happy New Year garnered mixed reviews from critics, primarily criticised for its screenplay and lengthy runtime. However, it proved a box office success, grossing Rs 408 crore worldwide.

Farah Khan's steadfast commitment to artistic integrity and her ability to navigate the complexities of the film industry have cemented her reputation as not only a talented filmmaker but also a principled artist dedicated to her craft. Her decision-making process, as exemplified by her handling of casting choices in Happy New Year, underscores her unwavering dedication to storytelling and cinematic excellence.