- 5/28/2025
In an exclusive interview with Lehren Retro, Andaz Apna Apna fame actor Shehzad Khan opens up on his early acting days & relationship with star-actor & father Ajit Sahab who never wanted son Shehzad to use his family name to bag roles in movies. The versatile artist openly calls Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan & Aamir Khan gems of Indian Cinema & also gives his unfiltered take on friend & colleague Salman Khan's 1998 blackbuck poaching case in turn calling him not guilty. Shehzad shares a unique story of how he got a role in the cult-classic Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) & offers an unfiltered opinion on nepotism, casting directors & current day Bollywood Cinema. Watch the full podcast only on your favourite digital destination Lehren. #shehzadkhan #shehzadkhanpodcast #ajit #ajitactor #andazapnaapna #shahrukhkhan #salmankhan #aamirkhan #monadarling
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PeopleTranscript
00:00I would like to say that anyone who has any misunderstandings about Salman should be forgiven.
00:09And I know that he did not kill the black bug.
00:20It is a very sad thing.
00:22It is a very wrong thing that we have given up our whole life
00:26And this rainy frog has come in the name of a casting director.
00:31And our directors have become so handicapped that they have to take the support of such bullies.
00:40I have no support from my father about the film industry.
00:45When I told him that I want to become an actor, he said two or three things to me that I would like to share with you.
00:53He said that I will not make any film for you and I will not recommend you anywhere.
01:02In the film industry, the public decides whether he is worthy of becoming a star or not.
01:11There is no such thing as nepotism.
01:14I don't believe in this crap.
01:16It is all nonsense.
01:17An actor is nothing more than a worker.
01:48Liquid will not let him live and Oxygen will not let him die.
01:54With Salman Khan, you worked in India at that time and now in this era.
02:13How much change are you seeing?
02:14What do you see?
02:15How much have you matured in your work?
02:18And how much dedication do you have for the film?
02:22With Salman, I have grown a lot as an actor by leaps and bounds.
02:28He has become very focused.
02:31He pays attention to every frame of the film.
02:39And he has really grown as an actor.
02:44These days, he is getting all kinds of threats from the gangsters.
02:49Baba Siddiqui has been murdered.
02:52Now there is a new threat that they will blow up the car with a bomb.
02:56How do you see such threats?
02:59It is a very sad thing.
03:06A man who does so much charity.
03:12If he gives with one hand, the other hand does not know.
03:16Salman Khan only has time to blow.
03:19You just have to blow your pain.
03:22He will go out of the way to help you.
03:27He is such a kind and generous person.
03:31He is a human being.
03:34He only knows what he does for others.
03:40And no matter what religion a person is of.
03:43In every religion, it is said to forgive.
03:48So a person should forgive.
03:53Even if a person has made a mistake.
03:57God forgives more than forgiving.
04:05So I think all these things should not be happening.
04:10It is a very sad thing.
04:13He is one of the biggest jewels.
04:17After Kohinoor diamond.
04:20Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan.
04:22All three of them are precious diamonds of our country.
04:27And I would like to say that.
04:31Anyone who has a misunderstanding about Salman.
04:36He should be forgiven.
04:39And I also know.
04:42As much as we read.
04:45That he did not kill the black bug.
04:48There is a new word these days.
04:51Nepotism.
04:53There is a lot of talk about it.
04:56Especially Karan Johar is accused.
04:59That he is introducing the children of all film stars.
05:02In your film Andaz Apna Apna.
05:05All four or five of you were with the star kids.
05:08Whether it was Karishma or Raveena.
05:11Whether it was Salman or Aamir.
05:13Was it a good or bad thing to introduce the kids?
05:18What did you think at that time?
05:20Sir, what has happened is that people have become so unemployed.
05:24People have become so unemployed.
05:27That they only see these things.
05:31There is no such thing as nepotism, sir.
05:34If the son of a confectioner does not become a confectioner, what will he become?
05:37If the son of a doctor does not become a doctor, what will he become?
05:39If the son of a lawyer does not become a lawyer, what will he become?
05:43If he chooses a profession that his father is doing or his mother is doing.
05:48What is wrong in that?
05:50And ultimately in the film industry.
05:53The public decides.
05:55Whether he is worthy or not.
05:58Whether he is worthy of becoming a star or not.
06:00There is no such thing as nepotism, sir.
06:03I don't believe in this crap.
06:05It is all nonsense.
06:06It has been forcibly left to the unemployed people.
06:14Because in this 140 crore population.
06:19I think there are 500 or 1000 actors in the Bollywood industry.
06:24There will be actors in our Hindi film industry.
06:26So the rest of the people.
06:29The useless people who are not getting employment.
06:33They do all these things.
06:36There is no such thing as nepotism.
06:40Sir, if we talk about your initial period.
06:43Did you decide from the beginning?
06:46That you want to stay in this industry.
06:48You want to work here.
06:50Like your father was also here.
06:52He had earned a lot of fame.
06:54So how did you start?
06:56Tell us a little about that.
06:58Since when did you start working?
06:59Sir, it is not because I was born in a big actor's house.
07:08But I was born to work in films.
07:13To entertain people.
07:16And acting.
07:18I have not become a hobby actor.
07:22It is my passion.
07:25It is my passion.
07:26And I can't do anything else.
07:30If you like it.
07:32Then you watch my film.
07:34Or my web series.
07:36If you don't like it.
07:38No problem.
07:40But we will keep working.
07:42We will keep entertaining you.
07:44Till our last breath.
07:46You mean you took training from somewhere.
07:48Acting.
07:50Yes.
07:52I used to stage in school first.
07:53After that.
07:55A teacher used to come.
07:57To teach us acting.
08:00He was from a big institution.
08:04After that we learned dance.
08:07Then we learned horse riding.
08:10After learning all this.
08:12Then we started photo sessions.
08:14At that time JP Singhal was there.
08:16He was a big photographer.
08:18After all this.
08:20We prepared ourselves.
08:22And came to the industry.
08:25What was your father's reaction?
08:28How much support did he get?
08:30I didn't get any support from my father.
08:33About the film industry.
08:35When I told him.
08:37That I want to become an actor.
08:39He told me 2-3 things.
08:41Which I would like to share with you.
08:43He said.
08:45I won't make any film for you.
08:48And I won't recommend you anywhere.
08:53And if possible.
08:55Don't tell people that you are my son.
08:59Maybe he is insecure.
09:01That if this coin doesn't work.
09:04Then his name will be ruined.
09:07Anyway.
09:09He forgot that if he is Pathan.
09:11Then I am also Pathan.
09:13I tied the knot.
09:15I said okay.
09:16I prepared myself.
09:18I put a shroud on my head.
09:20And then I went to the office.
09:22Coincidentally.
09:24When I gave the address or number.
09:26People knew.
09:28And whatever I did.
09:31After God.
09:33I got it with my hard work.
09:36So how did you enter from day to day?
09:39Did you go to ask for work?
09:41Yes. Absolutely.
09:43I went to ask for work.
09:44And someone told me.
09:46Do you remember?
09:48There was a magazine called Trade Guide.
09:50In that.
09:52All the names of the producers.
09:54Whose films started.
09:56Whose projects started.
09:58So we used to read.
10:00We used to get numbers from there.
10:02And there was a diary of Film India.
10:04We used to get numbers from that.
10:06We went to Mr. Nasir's office.
10:08Although it was very close to our house.
10:10It was in front of Mehboob Studio.
10:12And our house.
10:14We went there.
10:16We took photos.
10:18There were other actors sitting there.
10:20A boy came.
10:22He filled in the form.
10:24We filled in the form.
10:26We waited for half an hour.
10:28When our turn came.
10:30We went there.
10:32He said.
10:34I want a good role.
10:36He said.
10:38I can't give you the role of a hero.
10:40Our hero has been finalized.
10:42Look there.
10:44Our hero has been finalized.
10:46I said.
10:48I don't want the role of a hero.
10:50Give me a good role.
10:52Give me the role of a hero's friend.
10:54Give me the role of a villain.
10:56He said.
10:58I will tell you.
11:00Give me your number.
11:02He gave me the address.
11:04He said.
11:06This is Hamid's house.
11:08Do you live there?
11:10I said yes.
11:12I live there because I am his son.
11:14He said.
11:16This is what happened.
11:18We used to go to the office.
11:20We still ask for work.
11:22There is no shame in asking for work.
11:25This is what we know.
11:28This is our right.
11:31Our father.
11:33I think.
11:35Since 1947 or 1948.
11:38He has been working.
11:40We have been working since 1986 or 1988.
11:42We have been working since 1986 or 1988.
11:44We will continue to work till our last breath.
11:46Sir.
11:48You have done 150-200 films.
11:50Or you must have done more than this.
11:52You have also worked on TV shows.
11:54You have worked in serials.
11:56You have worked in web series.
11:58Do you have any regrets?
12:00That I didn't get this kind of role.
12:02Or you want to play this kind of role.
12:04Sir.
12:06I never regret anything.
12:08Forget what has gone.
12:10Think ahead.
12:12And work attracts work.
12:15When people see you working.
12:17Whether it is TV.
12:19Mobile has also come now.
12:21Whatever medium it is.
12:23I have only seen one thing.
12:25Work, work and work.
12:27Because I have seen my father.
12:29He used to do 6 shifts at a time.
12:312-2 hours.
12:33Sometimes we did not meet for months.
12:35When our school was closed on Saturday and Sunday.
12:38Wherever we were.
12:40Either we used to fly down.
12:42Spend the weekend with them.
12:44Then we used to come back on Sunday evening.
12:47And we used to go to school on Monday.
12:49So we have seen him working like this since childhood.
12:52So I also thought.
12:54Do work like worship.
12:56We have learned that.
12:58Do work like worship.
13:00Or you have not done any such film.
13:03Because of time or someone else.
13:05Which later became a big hit.
13:07And was the main lead.
13:09Whether as a villain or as a hero.
13:12There will be some such films.
13:14But I do not remember.
13:16There will be some such films.
13:18See what happens.
13:20When you commit someone.
13:22You take a signing amount from someone.
13:24Then after that.
13:26If some other offers come.
13:28Then you cannot take it.
13:30Because it is incorrect.
13:32So it will be like this.
13:34I do not remember.
13:36And you believe me.
13:38I do not remember how many films I have done.
13:40I am not one of those actors.
13:42I have to do a long journey.
13:44So I am not one of those actors.
13:48I am just.
13:50I have to work.
13:52And I have to keep working.
13:54About you sir.
13:56Many of your films.
13:58Have not been released.
14:00Due to some producer's problem.
14:02Or due to some other problem.
14:04Boxes have been closed.
14:06One of these films.
14:08With Ajay Devgn.
14:10Has been released recently.
14:12Or is it because of the producer.
14:14Or is it a pity.
14:16If such a film would have been released.
14:18Our career would have been different.
14:20Sir at least.
14:22Many of our films.
14:24Have been released in Cannes.
14:26So.
14:28See.
14:30An actor.
14:32Is a labourer.
14:34He does not have much time.
14:36We are labourers.
14:38We do our labour.
14:39And go home.
14:41A labourer.
14:43Can stay in the building he builds.
14:45We cannot stay in that building.
14:47We have to go home.
14:49Now that film has not been released.
14:51What has happened.
14:53How is it related to us.
14:55We.
14:57When one film is over.
14:59We go in search of another.
15:02And I am very happy.
15:04That the name was released.
15:06Last year.
15:07One of my favorite.
15:09Producers.
15:11Mr. Dinesh Patel.
15:13He took me.
15:15When I started.
15:17I did his film.
15:19Dhartiputra.
15:21He was a very good person.
15:23So it was very good.
15:25That the film was released.
15:28If a film would not have been released.
15:30How many liabilities on the producer.
15:32This and that.
15:34I know.
15:35As a producer.
15:37Which is still.
15:39In the Cannes festival.
15:41Will not be released.
15:43Which was the title?
15:45Let it go.
15:48But it was a good star cast film.
15:52If there are any memories about Mr. Wali.
15:55Share with our audience.
15:58He started as a hero.
16:00And he made his identity as a villain.
16:06Actually, our father.
16:09In Hyderabad.
16:12My grandfather.
16:14Bashir Ali Khan.
16:16He was in the Nizam's army.
16:18The college he was in.
16:20He was a football player.
16:22He was also a football player at the state level.
16:24So where.
16:26In the whole school.
16:28His professors and teachers used to say.
16:30What are you doing here?
16:32You go and become a hero.
16:33So he sold his college book.
16:35He came to Bombay.
16:37Then he struggled.
16:39As a junior artist.
16:41Worked.
16:43Then from the fourth row.
16:45Came in the first row.
16:47Because of his voice.
16:49And then.
16:51Mr. K.A. Amarnath.
16:53Maybe he took him as a hero.
16:55And a lot of his black and white films.
16:57I have seen.
16:59I have seen.
17:00And a lot of his black and white films.
17:02Released.
17:04As a hero.
17:06Something went on.
17:08Nothing went on.
17:10But he worked with all the big heroines of that time.
17:12Meena Kumari.
17:14Madhubala.
17:16Nalini Jaivan.
17:18The top heroines of that time.
17:20Except Nargis.
17:22And.
17:24One more.
17:26Leaving two or three artists.
17:28He worked with everyone.
17:30Because.
17:32He got the color.
17:34So at that time he stopped getting work.
17:36Became less.
17:38Because the cost of films increased.
17:40So Rajendra Kumar.
17:42Rajendra Kumar was doing a film at that time.
17:44Suraj.
17:46In which Rajendra Kumar.
17:48Vijayanthi Mala.
17:50And the villains in it.
17:52I will not take the name.
17:54They were finalized.
17:56But Vijayanthi Mala said.
17:57If those villains remain.
17:59Then I will not work in the film.
18:01So.
18:04Rajendra Kumar.
18:06Our father.
18:08Very close.
18:10He was one of the friends.
18:12So he said.
18:14L.V. Prasad.
18:16The producer of Conte South.
18:18I talk to my friend.
18:20If he agrees.
18:22You take him as a villain.
18:24So Rajendra Kumar.
18:25Convinced my father.
18:27Don't consider him as a villain.
18:29Consider him as an anti-hero.
18:32So after anti-hero.
18:34He understood.
18:36And he did that film Suraj.
18:38This is after the new era.
18:40This is after the new era.
18:42Work stopped after the new era.
18:44Yes.
18:46So.
18:48In the new era he got.
18:50Best Supporting Actor.
18:52Filmfare Award.
18:53At that time other heroes.
18:55Became insecure.
18:57So.
18:59Everything is part of life.
19:01As they say.
19:03Everything.
19:05Everything.
19:07Everything that goes up.
19:09Has to come down.
19:11That is also important in life.
19:13Only then you will enjoy.
19:15Success.
19:17Importance.
19:19You will understand the importance of success.
19:21Then he got Suraj.
19:23After that.
19:25Kali Charan.
19:27Yadav Ki Baraat.
19:29Then Zanjeer.
19:31Zanjeer.
19:33He changed the entire cast.
19:35Of five people.
19:37One of them was my father.
19:39One was Salim Javed.
19:41One was Bachchan.
19:43One was Prakash Mehra.
19:45And one was Pran.
19:47He never looked back.
19:50So.
19:52Kali Charan was also very famous.
19:54Yes.
19:56Kali Charan.
19:58Kali Charan.
20:00Is my favorite film.
20:02As a villain.
20:04Although.
20:06Ram Balram is also very good.
20:08I mean.
20:10All his films.
20:12I liked them.
20:14Sir.
20:16Do you know any dialogue.
20:18Of Kali Charan.
20:20I made it by twisting it.
20:23Inspector Parbhakar.
20:26After reaching here.
20:28Running away.
20:30We also know.
20:32To talk big.
20:34Very well.
20:37Fish without water.
20:39How does it suffer.
20:41Rabat.
20:43Put this inspector.
20:45In liquid oxygen.
20:47Liquid will not let him live.
20:48And.
20:50Oxygen will not let him die.
20:55So this is Kali Charan.
20:582025 version.
21:01I have heard that Subhash ji.
21:03Is going to make Kali Charan.
21:05Part 2.
21:07I hope he takes me.
21:09In the role of Kali Charan.
21:11Kali Charan and Kali Charan.
21:13Both will be part 2.
21:15Sir.
21:16If we talk about today.
21:18Often there is a comparison.
21:20South cinema and Bollywood.
21:22South's films.
21:24Are very successful.
21:26And Bollywood's content.
21:28Is not worth it.
21:30Or films are not doing well.
21:32So what do you believe.
21:34What is the main reason behind it.
21:36Why is not such content being made in Bollywood.
21:38Sir.
21:40Its main reason is corporate house.
21:42Now you will ask how.
21:43Here in our Hindi film industry.
21:45Corporate has entered.
21:47In every aspect.
21:49They interfere in everything.
21:51In South.
21:53Corporate has not yet entered.
21:55It will enter to the extent of TV.
21:57But not to the extent of films.
22:00That's why the films there.
22:02Although it is a part of our India.
22:04Yes.
22:06That's why the films there.
22:08Which have such good results.
22:10This is the main reason.
22:12In today's date.
22:14Making a Hindi film.
22:16Is not less than any Jihad.
22:18Because you do not have one man.
22:20You have to answer 100 people.
22:22A director gets worried.
22:24And all those people have to answer.
22:26Who.
22:28Who do not know the ABC of the film.
22:31They have come after doing Maths.
22:33Some.
22:35Some famous person has come.
22:37He has come.
22:38He has come from Stanford University.
22:40He has come from Stanford University.
22:42He has come from Stanford University.
22:44Have you learned filmmaking?
22:46You have been someone's assistant.
22:48You went to FDI.
22:50You went to NSD.
22:52Have you seen black and white films?
22:54Have you seen silent films?
22:56They do not know.
22:59They just need math.
23:01If we draw 100 rupees.
23:03We should get 200 rupees.
23:06That's why today.
23:08Our Hindi films are being destroyed.
23:10Because our directors.
23:12Are not getting open freedom.
23:15And the creative teams.
23:19Of the corporate house.
23:21They interfere so much.
23:23That they.
23:25End the director's creativity.
23:29Sad but true.
23:32Sir, if you have any upcoming projects.
23:35Sir, there are many coming.
23:36I am doing a lot of upcoming films.
23:38I will keep telling you.
23:41I am also doing a web series.
23:44And you must have seen me on debates.
23:47Ads.
23:49I am also doing a show.
23:51Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma.
23:53Are you still doing it?
23:55Yes.
23:57Whenever they call me, I go.
23:59I have a very good character.
24:01Danger Mani.
24:03And it is a very old show.
24:04So sir.
24:06Work, work, work.
24:08Nothing else.
24:10And what has happened is.
24:12A community has come.
24:14Whose name is Casting Directors.
24:16With their arrival.
24:18Like us and our colleagues.
24:20A lot of damage has happened.
24:22Because what are they?
24:24They make their own group.
24:27And.
24:29After that.
24:31The good roles.
24:32The good roles.
24:34The casting director does it himself.
24:37And the rest of the roles.
24:39Which we should get.
24:41They fit their friends.
24:43So those roles don't come to us.
24:46This is a very sad thing.
24:49It is very wrong.
24:51That we have given our whole life.
24:53And this rainy frog has come.
24:55In the name of casting director.
24:57And our directors have become so many.
24:59They have become so many.
25:01They have become handicapped.
25:03That they have to take the support of such beggars.
25:09And all this.
25:11When the Me Too challenge was going on.
25:13Everyone was exposed in it.
25:15Which casting director.
25:17How much.
25:19What is supplying.
25:21What is doing.
25:23So the whole group of casting directors.
25:25That should be done.
25:27Some are good.
25:29Some are just trying to fit their own people.
25:32This is harming all of us.
25:36Sir, if you want to share about some children.
25:39That children.
25:41They want to come in this field.
25:43Or studies are going on.
25:45Children's studies are going on.
25:47Now it is up to them.
25:49They want to come in this field.
25:51Or what is it.
25:53It is their wish.
25:55So have you never shared anything?
25:57That Papa, I want to do this.
25:59See now.
26:01They will have to work hard.
26:03My elder son.
26:05He has assisted.
26:07Ahmed Khan.
26:10In Baaghi 3.
26:12And there were 2-3 more films of Ahmed in it.
26:15Now people are telling him.
26:17That you become an actor.
26:19Become an actor.
26:21So now he.
26:23He has done the whole acting course.
26:25He is a black belt.
26:27Action, writing.
26:29So I said son, whenever you come.
26:31Come with full preparation.
26:33Because here.
26:35No one is going to give you time.
26:37It is an on the spot decision.
26:41See what happens.
26:43The same message sir.
26:45Like you said about your children.
26:47Today's new generation.
26:49Who wants to come here.
26:51Wants to make their career.
26:53What message will you give them?
26:55I will give the same message to the new generation.
26:57That brother, if you have patience.
26:59Otherwise I say with folded hands.
27:01Don't come.
27:03Patience.
27:06Patience.
27:08There is a word.
27:10He has a lot of patience.
27:12And when he gets a chance.
27:14He doesn't hit a four.
27:16He hits a six.
27:18Here only patience and patience.
27:20Because actors.
27:22Don't get money for acting.
27:24They get money to wait.
27:26To wait.
27:27They get money to wait.
27:29You understand.
27:31When we are called on the set.
27:33Waiting is done.
27:35Sir, your shot will come now.
27:37It is one hour now.
27:39It is two hours.
27:41It is three hours.
27:43We call in the morning.
27:45It is shot in the evening.
27:47Sometimes it is shot at night.
27:49So they get money for waiting.
27:51We do acting for free.
27:53So that's why I request the new generation.
27:55That son.
27:57Don't come.
27:59And come with full preparation.
28:01And the rest is your luck and hard work.
28:04And in any wrong things.
28:06In wrong schemes.
28:08Or don't come in people's talks.
28:11Go.
28:13Give your audition.
28:15And my best wishes to you all.
28:18Sir, one last question before leaving.
28:20I would like to ask you.
28:22Has it ever happened.
28:24In your career so far.
28:25That at some point.
28:27You need work the most.
28:29And you don't have work.
28:32By God's grace.
28:34It has not happened yet.
28:36Because.
28:38If I am not doing films.
28:40Then I am doing web series.
28:42If not web series.
28:44Then I am doing events.
28:46And I am on debates.
28:48Somewhere I am busy.
28:50That's why.
28:52So.
28:53So.
28:55This is.
28:57I need work.
28:59And God is the one who gives me livelihood.
29:02He makes someone through someone.
29:04To give livelihood.
29:06But yes.
29:08Through your medium.
29:10I will definitely say that.
29:12Some Mr. Bacardia had made a film.
29:14Teri Meherbaniya.
29:16In which he.
29:18Had acted with a dog.
29:20So we are still human.
29:21Give good roles.
29:23And cast the deserving candidates.
29:26Now.
29:28There was a film Animal.
29:30In which he took Mr. Shakti Kapoor.
29:32Mr. Suresh Oberoi.
29:34People liked it so much.
29:36Anil Kapoor was there.
29:38So we are all known faces.
29:42And we add more.
29:45Icing to the cake.
29:52To become the country's new IdeaBass.
29:55Register on IdeaBassDangal.com
29:57Or download the IdeaBass Dangal App.
29:59Or you can give a missed call on 916-777-7774.
30:03Register now.
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