Amjad Khan’s son Shadaab Khan says Rani Mukherji's debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat was a wrong film at the wrong time

When you are the son of Amjad Khan, the man who gave Hindi cinema its most iconic villain in Gabbar Singh, stepping into films can seem like a natural next move. That is what Shadaab Khan did in the mid-1990s, starring in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat opposite Rani Mukerji, who was making her own Hindi film debut. Looking back, Shadaab says it was the wrong film at the wrong time.

Why Amjad Khan’s son regrets his Bollywood debut

In an interview with Hindustan Times, he said the debut had a ripple effect on his career. His main reason is simple. "I shouldn't have made my debut with Raja Ki... I was too young," he said.

Shadaab says he weighed about 145 kilos before the film and shed all of it to prepare for the role. In his view, the dramatic transformation showed on his face. He felt he looked ungroomed on screen, hardly the polished entry an industry newcomer hopes for.

The film struggled commercially, and Shadaab struggled to establish himself afterward. As the son of one of Bollywood's most celebrated actors, he was constantly measured against his father's legacy. While Rani Mukerji went on to build a major career, Shadaab moved on to smaller roles, including appearances in Hey Ram and Refugee.

Shadaab has also spoken about how it feels to be an industry kid without a parent around to open doors. Outsiders at least know they have to build everything from scratch, he suggests, but when the people who once backed you are gone, you can end up worse off than they are. "I'm on my own completely," he said.

Shadaab eventually found his footing behind the camera and the keyboard, working as a writer, director and author. Whatever he feels about his first film, the second act of his career suggests he has found a different kind of success.

For more updates, join/follow our WhatsApp, Telegram and YouTube channels.