Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, has clinched his first major award as a director, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. The young filmmaker received the honour on Friday evening in Delhi, following the success of his directorial debut, the Netflix series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'.
A Heartfelt Dedication and Signature Wit
In his acceptance speech, Aryan Khan showcased a charm and self-deprecating humour that instantly reminded the audience of his legendary father. He promptly dedicated the trophy to his mother, Gauri Khan. "This award is not for my father. This award is for my mom," Aryan stated in a conversation with NDTV.
He then humorously highlighted the contrast between his mother's advice and the content of his show. "Because my mom always told me to sleep early, not to make fun of people, and absolutely no cursing," he said, grinning. The series, which has garnered attention for its raw and irreverent take on the film industry, features plenty of the very elements his mother cautioned against.
Aryan added that with his grandmother watching proudly from the audience, his mother would now be "the happiest woman in the world." He concluded this part of his speech with a hopeful note for himself: "When I go home today, I’ll probably get a little less scolding."
"Like My Dad, I Really Love Awards"
The filmmaker did not forget to mention his father, Shah Rukh Khan. After congratulating all the winners of the evening, Aryan expressed his hope for more such accolades in the future. His reason was delivered with a cheeky nod to SRK's well-documented passion for awards. "This is my first award, and I hope I get many more because, like my dad, I really love awards," he declared, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.
This candid admission and his overall stage presence quickly made his speech a viral sensation on social media platforms. Netizens and fans were quick to draw parallels, praising Aryan for embodying the same witty and charismatic persona that has defined Shah Rukh Khan's public interactions for decades.
Industry Veteran Expresses Disappointment
While Aryan celebrates his debut success, his series has not been without its detractors. Veteran actor and producer Viveck Vaswani, a close friend who supported Shah Rukh Khan during his early days in Mumbai, recently voiced his strong disappointment with the show's portrayal of Bollywood.
In an interview with Radio Nasha Official, Vaswani questioned the narrative that the industry is a "gutter." He recounted the warmth and respect SRK received as an outsider. "Everyone treated him so well, so warmly, without a single rift... Why did you think we were a bad industry?" Vaswani asked.
He expressed his dismay at the lack of a positive counterpoint in the series. "I can understand you showing whatever you showed. But why was there not one redeeming character in the show?" Vaswani emphasized that Shah Rukh Khan himself is "living proof" that good people exist within the film fraternity.
The award and the surrounding conversation cement a pivotal year for Aryan Khan. He has successfully stepped out of his father's colossal shadow with a distinct creative voice, even as his work sparks debate about the industry that made his family famous.
