The initial hesitation of a seasoned actor nearly cost 'The Bads Of Bollywood' a standout performance!* It's incredible how a seemingly small decision can lead to such a massive impact, isn't it? When Aryan Khan, son of the legendary Shah Rukh Khan, embarked on his directorial journey with 'The Bads Of Bollywood,' the internet buzzed with praise. The series, featuring Lakshya Lalwani in the lead and a star-studded cast including Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and SRK himself, was a hit. However, it was the performances of Raghav Juyal and *Manoj Pahwa that truly stole the show, with their impeccable comic timing leaving audiences in stitches.
One of the most memorable moments from the series was Pahwa's iconic 'ghanta ka Badshah' dialogue aimed at Shah Rukh Khan. But here's where it gets interesting: did you know that Manoj Pahwa actually turned down the role at first? When Aryan Khan initially approached him, Pahwa's response was a firm, "Hoga bada apne ghar mein..." (It'll be a big deal in his own house...). He wasn't immediately convinced, and his initial reluctance stemmed from a rather common concern for actors: the script.
In a candid conversation with Mashable India, Manoj revealed, "Aryan made me do things I have never done before. I didn’t give any audition for that role. He simply called me and told me he wanted me to do it. I had refused him at first." His manager explained that the show's script wasn't being shared with anyone, which understandably put him off. Coming from Delhi, his sentiment was, "I won’t do it either. Hoga apne ghar ka, hum bhi kam nahi hai (It'll be his own thing, we are no less)." While he had worked with Shah Rukh Khan on a few films, he admitted they didn't share a deep personal connection that would sway his decision at that point.
But this is the part most people miss: the situation took a surprising turn just a week later. His manager called again, this time with a different story – four different scripts had been sent over. Upon reading them, Manoj was genuinely impressed. When he finally met the team, they confessed, "Please don’t tell anyone we gave you the script because we haven’t shared it with any other actors. We sent it to you only because you had refused the role." This unique approach clearly worked, as it convinced him to come on board!
Once he joined the project, Manoj found that Aryan constantly pushed him as an actor. "After he finally convinced me, he made me do things that are still getting strong reactions from the audience," he shared. He recalled moments where he'd object to certain lines or actions, only for Aryan to playfully respond, "Achha lagega, sir! (It will look good, sir!)." The actor even mentioned being made to curse extensively, something he wasn't entirely comfortable with. Aryan's justification? "Sir, aapke mooh se gaali achhi lagti hai (Sir, curses sound good coming from your mouth)." Manoj, ever the professional, acknowledged, "As an actor, I can only suggest things. The final verdict is always the director’s."
Despite his initial reservations, Manoj expressed immense satisfaction with the final product. "I am very happy with the way he made the show. It turned out great and became extremely popular. They paid us fully and treated us with a lot of respect," he said. He also shared a heartwarming anecdote about Shah Rukh Khan's frequent visits to the set to support his son. "Shah Rukh sir was extremely kind on set. He would often say, 'Come to Mannat, daaru peete hai (let’s have alcohol),’” Manoj recalled with a laugh.
It’s fascinating how an actor's initial reluctance can be overcome by compelling material and a director's vision, isn't it? Do you think actors should always be given the script upfront, or can a director's conviction be enough to convince them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
