Fardeen Khan, recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Mudassar Aziz’s Khel Khel Mein, and the upcoming ensemble comedy Housefull 5, has spoken openly about the difficult early period of his film career. Like many star kids of his era, his initial foray into acting was met with immense expectations and equally intense scrutiny.
“Of course, it was tough. Criticism was harsh,” Fardeen candidly shared, recalling the reception to his 1998 debut in Prem Aggan, directed by his late father, Feroz Khan. The romantic drama flopped commercially, leading to immediate fallout. He added, “People I was supposed to be working with in my next few projects changed their mind and pulled out of the projects. Money had to be returned. It was really a good chance to sit back and think.”
During an appearance on the Cyrus Says podcast, Fardeen Khan revealed how his father delivered a stark reality check after the film’s failure. He recounted, “He said, ‘We tried, we failed.’ I’m putting a roof over your head. I’ll pay you an X amount of money every month. After that, you’re on your own.”
Describing it as “a beautiful call,” Fardeen continued, “He said I’ve sent you to one of the best universities of the world. I hope you’re prepared to deal with life. This is how life is.”
Feroz Khan, who lost his own father at the tender age of 13 and took on the responsibility of caring for his five brothers and a sister early in life, imparted a similar ethos to his son. Fardeen recalled his father telling him, “He said, ‘I had a vision, I did it. Now, let’s see what you’re made of.’ It was as simple as that. It was really what I had to hear at that time. His love was tough! That just speaks to the kind of guy he was.”
Well, have you watched Prem Aggan?
