Shah Rukh Khan on Aryan Khan's filmmaking: 'I also wanted to be a director not an actor'

Shah Rukh Khan talks about Aryan Khan's filmmaking

Aryan Khan has officially made his much-awaited debut — not in front of the camera, but behind it.

With the release of The Ba***ds of Bollywood on Netflix, the 26-year-old son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan has taken his first confident step into the world of filmmaking, marking the beginning of a journey he’s been quietly preparing for over the years.

While many expected Aryan to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an actor, those close to the family knew that his heart lay elsewhere. Unlike the spotlight-chasing stories often associated with star kids, Aryan has always shown a quiet, steady passion for writing and direction.

His father, SRK, had spoken about this in earlier interviews. In a candid chat with Punjab Kesari TV, he shared, “He’s actually not interested in acting. He has a passion for filmmaking. And right now, he’s studying a film production course at USC in Los Angeles. I didn’t ask him to become a filmmaker; in fact, it’s quite strange, because I myself wasn’t interested in acting initially either."

There’s a sense of reflection in Shah Rukh’s words — a father seeing pieces of his younger self in his son. “I was more drawn to making films, which is why I studied Mass Communication at Jamia. So Aryan has the same kind of passion. He still has four years left in college, and he’s already making short films there. He’s figuring out on his own what he truly enjoys and where his calling lies."

Proud yet hands-off, SRK added, “He doesn’t even ask me for help; he’s learning everything by himself. Of course, he shows me his work out of love and respect. But beyond that, I want all my kids to discover what they want to do on their own. It might sound odd, but I’ve never asked him whether he wants to be an actor. Maybe his mother or grandmother has, but I haven’t really had that conversation with him."

More recently, during a special preview of Aryan’s series, Shah Rukh stood on stage as a father more than a star. He introduced his son not with fanfare, but with emotion. “I’m deeply grateful to the sacred land of Mumbai, to this country, which has given me 30 years to try and entertain you. Today is a very special day, because on this very same land, my son is now taking his first step. He’s a very good boy, as all fathers believe about their sons, and he’s hardworking."

He continued, “At home, we’ve only taught him a few things: box office success isn’t guaranteed, nor are positive reviews from critics. But giving your 100% through hard work — that’s the one guarantee you can control. So today, when he stands before you, please clap for him."

And in a moment that left the room teary-eyed, he said, “But along with those claps, send him a small prayer too. And like I’ve said before, the love you’ve given me over the years — even if he receives just 10, 20, 30, 40, 50% of that — if it were anyone else, I would have stopped right there. But if he’s lucky enough to get 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, even 150% of that love, please give it to him."

Also Read: The Ba***ds of Bollywood Review: Aryan Khan packs a power-packed masala punch in his directorial debut

The Netflix series, which is supported by Gauri Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment, is Aryan Khan's eagerly awaited directing debut, and he has made sure it is a spectacular one.

Aasmaan Singh, a resolute outsider navigating the competitive and chaotic world of the film industry. The show promises to be a wild and entertaining ride, full of layered drama, sharp humour, and a parade of celebrity cameos, including appearances by Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Karan Johar.