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Shah Rukh Khan may be one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars today, but his journey began humbly with the 1988 television series Fauji. Just four years later, he entered the film industry, a transition made possible in large part by actor-producer Viveck Vaswani. Vaswani not only introduced Shah Rukh to filmmakers like Rakesh Roshan, Hema Malini, and Ramesh Sippy, which led to early projects such as Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Chamatkar, King Uncle, and Dil Aashna Hai, but also offered him a home when he had none. He also supported Shah Rukh through some of the most difficult phases of his life, including his mother’s illness and her passing. Now, decades later, Vaswani admits he carries a sense of hurt and betrayal.
Speaking to Radio Nasha, he opened up about his reaction to Aryan Khan’s Netflix series Ba***ds of Bollywood. “Where did I go wrong for you to feel so much hate against the industry?” he asked.
“I have no comment on how well Aryan has directed it or how big the show is — it’s obviously given Netflix a huge boost, unlike The Archies,” Vaswani said. “But what I cannot understand is, when did Shah Rukh come to the conclusion that Bollywood is a gutter and that everyone in it is bad? When he entered the industry, the love Aziz, my mother, and I gave him was immense.”
The actor-producer emphasised that Shah Rukh was never mistreated or left to struggle on the streets. “He never started his journey from the roads. He was living in Cuffe Parade, and after marriage, Aziz gave him a house in Bandra,” he said.
“Aziz’s children, Haroon and Rahila, treated him like a brother. I treated him like a brother. Everyone welcomed him with open arms, even before his first film released. So I have the right to ask — why does he think we were a bad industry?”
While expressing disappointment at the show’s portrayal of the film world, Vaswani also acknowledged its craft. “I enjoyed the show. I thought the cameo was fabulous, and I was pleasantly surprised by the kind of perfection Bobby brought to his performance,” he said.
Still, he couldn’t shake off one feeling: sadness. “I just thought, did I do something wrong? Did I ever say or do anything to hurt him — to make him believe Bollywood is such a bad place? I don’t think so,” Vaswani reflected. “When he came to Mumbai, everyone in the industry gave him work and respect — Rakesh Roshan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Rajiv Mehra. Then why such a show? This industry is my karmbhoomi and his too. To diss your karmbhoomi felt a little sad for me.”
Concluding his thoughts, Vaswani said that while none of them including Shah Rukh agreed with his perspective, he stands by his emotions. “Everybody loved the show, and that’s fine. But I just felt a little sad.”
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