Beyond the Platter: Rajat Bedi on Aryan Khan’s Hard Work

In a strong defense of budding filmmaker Aryan Khan, actor Rajat Bedi has pushed back against the persistent narrative that Shah Rukh Khan’s son has had everything handed to him, simply by virtue of his parentage. Bedi, who recently made a notable comeback in the industry with a role in Aryan Khan’s acclaimed directorial debut series, The Ba**ds of Bollywood, asserted that success ultimately hinges on individual talent and relentless effort, not just connections.

Bedi, known for films like Koi Mil Gaya, addressed the assumptions head-on, delivering a potent challenge to critics: “What Shah Rukh ka beta (Shah Rukh’s son)? There are so many big billionaires and they have kids. I dare you to give all the equipment to a kid of some other rich person, and ask them to make a film.” He underscored his point with the statement, “Kisi aur ke bacche ko equipment dekar dekh lo” (give the same equipment to someone else’s child and see), implying that resources alone do not guarantee a successful outcome.

The actor emphasized that while a superstar parent can undoubtedly provide an opportunity, the work in front of and behind the camera must be done by the child themselves. “A star can get his kid an opportunity, but it is the kid who has to prove his or her worth in front of the camera or behind the screen,” he said, crediting Aryan entirely for the positive reception of the series.

Praising Aryan’s dedication, Bedi revealed that the young director worked tirelessly on the project. “The show is a result of Aryan and all his associates. That baccha (kid) has worked very hard. Please don’t ever feel that he is Shah Rukh’s son and he’s got everything on a platter. The boy has worked really hard. He doesn’t sleep. He’s been up and about,” Bedi stated.

The veteran actor also shared personal anecdotes from the set, painting a picture of a humble and dedicated young man. Contrary to his often reserved public persona, Bedi described Aryan as “very naughty,” “funny, witty and playful” off-camera. He also recounted how Aryan personally escorted him to and from his car, showing a level of respect and humility that he found remarkable for a star-kid.

Bedi’s heartfelt gratitude extended to the entire Khan family for giving him an opportunity that has revitalized his career after a long period away from the spotlight. His compelling perspective seeks to shift the focus from Aryan Khan’s privileged background to the hard work and creative merit that define his first major project.