Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is widely celebrated not only for his cinematic craft but also for his spontaneous wit and comic timing off camera. Film sets often witness humorous incidents that transform into enduring memories shared years later. During the promotional campaign for the 2014 film Happy New Year, Shah Rukh Khan narrated an amusing behind the scenes episode that highlighted the playful chaos on the production set and the exasperation of their director.
Farah Khan Struggled With Constant Set Pranks
In 2014, the primary cast of Happy New Year made an appearance on the popular television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati to promote their upcoming release. The show was hosted by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan. Seizing the moment, Shah Rukh Khan recounted a humorous chain of events that unfolded during the filming schedule. He described how the film's director, Farah Khan, had grown intensely frustrated with the behavior of younger co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and Vivaan Shah.
According to Farah Khan, neither Abhishek Bachchan nor Vivaan Shah would sit quietly on set during operational hours. The duo constantly engaged in chatter, disrupting the workflow and irritating the filmmaker. Making matters worse, they repeatedly captured candid photographs of Farah Khan without her approval and uploaded them directly to social media platforms. Overwhelmed by their ongoing antics, Farah Khan turned to Shah Rukh Khan, asking him to intervene as a senior figure on set and firmly discipline the two actors.
Initial Reluctance and Rising Pressure to Intervene
Initially, Shah Rukh Khan attempted to pacify Farah Khan by defending the young actors. He reasoned that both performers were youthful, full of energy, and merely indulging in harmless fun that did not warrant severe scolding. Shah Rukh advised the director to take their mischief lightly and let them enjoy their time between shots. However, Farah Khan remained resolute and refused to brush the matter aside.
She repeatedly insisted that Shah Rukh Khan must step forward, speak to Abhishek Bachchan and Vivaan Shah directly, and put an immediate halt to their disruptions. Faced with her persistent demands, Shah Rukh Khan eventually relented and agreed to step into the role of disciplinarian on the director's behalf.
A Sudden Realisation Regarding Two Acting Legends
Shah Rukh Khan detailed how he approached Abhishek Bachchan and Vivaan Shah with full determination to deliver a stern reprimand. Yet, right at the brink of confronting them, an unexpected realization struck him. He remembered that Abhishek Bachchan was the son of Amitabh Bachchan, while Vivaan Shah was the son of acclaimed veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.
The realization prompted an instant change of heart. Shah Rukh Khan humorously concluded that if such formidable and respected fathers could not keep their sons in line, there was little hope that he would achieve anything by intervening. Entertaining that wry thought, Shah Rukh decided to drop the lecture entirely and walk away without uttering a single reproach. Hearing this recollection on the stage of Kaun Banega Crorepati, host Amitabh Bachchan and the entire audience burst into laughter, cementing the anecdote as one of the most delightful backstage stories from the production.
