Bobby Deol, who is currently starring in The Ba***ds of Bollywood, spoke about his experience working with Aryan Khan in the Netflix series, which marks Aryan’s debut as a writer-director. Bobby praised Aryan for the “maturity” he displayed on set and remarked that he is far more talented than Bobby was at the same age, noting that he could relate to him.
Both Bobby and Aryan grew up in the shadows of their superstar fathers—Dharmendra and Shah Rukh Khan, respectively. Bobby also referenced the personal challenges Aryan has faced in recent years, saying that “no child should go through” what he endured.
During an appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Bobby was asked about the similarities between himself and Aryan, and he acknowledged that there were some. He said he wished he had Aryan’s current drive, noting that although he began his career with a lot of fire, his progress was delayed. He added that Aryan possesses a talent and presence that draws people in and emphasised again that the hardships Aryan has faced were far beyond what he experienced, which “no child should go through.”
Bobby Deol said he eagerly accepted the opportunity to work on Aryan Khan’s debut project because he believes in supporting colleagues within the film industry. He explained that, as someone whose own sons are interested in acting, he feels it’s important for industry members to stand by one another. He also praised Shah Rukh Khan’s respectful and considerate nature, comparing it to the qualities of his own father, Dharmendra, Indian Express reported.
Bobby recalled meeting Aryan at a party months ago and being impressed by his personality. He said Aryan had insisted on narrating the entire story to him, and he spent seven hours listening, captivated by Aryan’s conviction. He described Aryan as intense but magnetic, and said interacting with him was a memorable experience.
He added that Aryan’s level of maturity was remarkable. Bobby reflected on the pressures Aryan faces as a superstar’s son and noted that, despite choosing the challenging path of directing rather than acting, Aryan pushed everyone on set to work hard. He said that without intervention from the executive producer, Aryan would have kept working nonstop, which contributed to the success of the show.
The discussion also touched on Aryan’s personal struggles, including his arrest in 2021 on drug-related charges, during which he spent nearly a month in jail. Bobby noted that in The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Aryan appears to reference this episode, satirising Sameer Wankhede, the officer involved in the case, who has since filed a defamation lawsuit against him in Delhi.