On Wednesday evening, the trailer launch of The Bads of Bollywood, Aryan Khan’s debut as a writer-director, took place. The trailer itself — with Shah Rukh Khan’s unmistakable voice introducing Lakshya as Aasman Singh, and Bobby Deol, Sahher Bambba, and Raghav Juyal stepping into pivotal roles — was met with loud applause. Releasing on September 18 on Netflix, the film boasts a star-studded lineup. But what really got the audience and social media into a frenzy was how a visibly nervous 27-year-old Aryan Khan, standing on the stage, addressed the crowd.
He spoke hesitantly at first, urging everyone to forgive him if they found any mistakes in his work. And then, almost instinctively, he added: “Aur agar tab bhi mujhse mistake ho jaaye… toh papa hain na!”
The hall erupted. Reporters, influencers, and even hardened Bollywood veterans found themselves smiling at the vulnerability in those words.
Aryan had not just acknowledged the towering presence of his father — he had leaned into it. For a brief moment, the Khan legacy wasn’t about glamour, stardom, or power. It was about something more intimate: a son’s faith in his father.
For decades, Shah Rukh Khan has carefully navigated the overlapping roles of superstar and family man. But moments like these underline how much the “Papa persona” has become central to his public image.
Aryan's drugs case of 2021 — where SRK’s son was arrested and later cleared of all charges — had already shown the world a side of him rarely seen before: a father in pain, fiercely protective, yet dignified in silence. That episode, difficult as it was, redefined the Khan brand.
Now, with Aryan stepping into the limelight not as an actor but as a creator, SRK’s role as a steady anchor feels even more pronounced. His presence at the trailer launch was understated, but it hung in the air — punctuated by Aryan’s words.
SRK’s fatherly persona has become an intrinsic part of his public image, says a public relations executive who has been managing stars since the 90s. "Unlike many star kids who jump straight into acting, Aryan has chosen to debut behind the camera. The Bads of Bollywood is not just his first big project, it’s also a test of how far a Khan can go without performing in front of the camera. For a generation that has grown up in the shadow of nepotism debates, this choice matters," he says.
But Aryan’s speech showed something else too: despite the nervousness, there was a certain ease in admitting dependence on his father. Kalpana Iyer, a Bollywood buff and founder of Nostalgiaana, explains how Aryan's leaning into legacy can be a strength. “What played out at the launch wasn’t just a sweet father-son moment; it was also an example of the evolving Bollywood family PR playbook,” she says.
"In the past, film families often kept children away from the limelight until a formal debut. But today, image management begins much earlier — from paparazzi appearances at airports and parties to curated Instagram posts. Aryan’s comeback after controversy, Suhana’s carefully groomed acting debut in The Archies, and Abram’s playful appearances with SRK at IPL matches all feed into one larger strategy: building the family as a brand."
Other dynasties are doing the same. Ajay Devgn and Kajol manage their daughter Nysa’s public appearances with deliberate restraint. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan have made Taimur and Jeh household names even before school. Amitabh Bachchan’s grandchildren are being slowly eased into public view.
In all of these, one thing is clear: the role of the parent is as important as the career of the child. The family name becomes the marketing hook, and the parents’ endorsement becomes the child’s shield.
A Bollywood insider tells THE WEEK how families plan paparazzi interactions and social media presence for star kids.
Shah Rukh Khan, in particular, has mastered the balance. He does not shy away from the paparazzi, but neither does he let them dictate the narrative. His warm waves from Mannat’s balcony, his witty banter at events, and now Aryan’s heartfelt acknowledgment — all become part of a carefully curated family narrative.
For audiences, this has an emotional payoff. SRK isn’t just the star on screen; he’s the father who stands by his children, no matter the circumstances. Aryan’s line, “Papa hai na,” worked because it confirmed what fans already believe about their SRK.
The Khans are no longer just a star household — they’re a family enterprise. Aryan’s Netflix project, Suhana’s acting career, Gauri’s design empire, and even the IPL franchise KKR collectively add up to a larger entity: Brand Khan.
Aryan Khan’s nervous but heartfelt debut speech may one day be remembered as the beginning of a new chapter in Bollywood dynasties. How superstars enchant their fans as adorable papas and not just as superstars. And in a film industry built on both spectacle and sentiment, sometimes that’s the most powerful narrative of all.