Shah Rukh Khan’s best friend Viveck Vaswani disappointed ‘hate against film industry’ in Aryan Khan’s Ba***ds of Bollywood: ‘What did I do wrong?’ | Bollywood News

Shah Rukh Khan may be one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars today, but his journey began humbly — with the 1988 television series Fauji. Just four years later, he found himself entering the film industry, thanks in large part to actor-producer Viveck Vaswani. It was Vaswani who not only introduced Shah Rukh to producers and actors but also offered him a home when he had none. Their friendship began rather unexpectedly — over a cigarette at a coffee shop in Mumbai — and soon evolved into a brother-like bond. Shah Rukh lived with Viveck for two years, during which Vaswani helped him navigate the film industry.
Viveck also stood Shah Rukh during some of his most difficult times, including his mother’s illness and her passing. He was instrumental in connecting the young actor to filmmakers like Rakesh Roshan, Hema Malini, and Ramesh Sippy, leading to early projects such as Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Chamatkar, King Uncle, and Dil Aashna Hai.
Decades later, however, Vaswani says he feels a sense of hurt and betrayal. Speaking to Radio Nasha, he opened up about his reaction to Aryan Khan’s Netflix series Ba***ds of Bollywood. “Where did I go wrong for you to feel so much hate against the industry?” he asked.
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“I have no comment on how well Aryan has directed it or how big the show is — it’s obviously given Netflix a huge boost, unlike The Archies,” Vaswani said. “But what I cannot understand is, when did Shah Rukh come to the conclusion that Bollywood is a gutter and that everyone in it is bad? When he entered the industry, the love Aziz, my mother, and I gave him was immense.”
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The actor-producer emphasised that Shah Rukh was never mreated or left to struggle on the streets. “He never started his journey from the roads. He was living in Cuffe Parade, and after marriage, Aziz gave him a house in Bandra,” he said.
“Aziz’s children, Haroon and Rahila, treated him like a brother. I treated him like a brother. Everyone welcomed him with open arms, even before his first film released. So I have the right to ask — why does he think we were a bad industry?”Story continues below this ad
While expressing disappointment at the show’s portrayal of the film world, Vaswani also acknowledged its craft. “I enjoyed the show. I thought the cameo was fabulous, and I was pleasantly surprised the kind of perfection Bob brought to his performance,” he said.
Still, he couldn’t shake off one feeling: sadness. “I just thought, did I do something wrong? Did I ever say or do anything to hurt him — to make him believe Bollywood is such a bad place? I don’t think so,” Vaswani reflected. “When he came to Mumbai, everyone in the industry gave him work and respect — Rakesh Roshan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Rajiv Mehra. Then why such a show? This industry is my karmbhoomi and his too. To diss your karmbhoomi felt a little sad for me.”
Concluding his thoughts, Vaswani said that while none of them including Shah Rukh agreed with his perspective, he stands his emotions. “Everybody loved the show, and that’s fine. But I just felt a little sad.”