Forget Bollywood nepotism: Why this legendary film villain told his son to hide their bond?

In a world where star kids are often launched with grandeur and connections, one legendary Bollywood villain chose a completely different path. Ajit, the suave and sharp-tongued villain of 1970s cinema, who made “Lion” a menacing nickname and captivated audiences with his trademark style, flat-out refused to help his own son enter the film industry. In a surprising revelation, Shehzad Khan — known for his comic timing in Andaz Apna Apna and presence in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak — shared how his father discouraged him from leveraging their relationship for a career in films.

"Don’t Tell Them I’m Your Father"
Speaking to Lehren Retro, Shehzad revealed the hard truth behind his early struggle: “I never got any support from my father regarding my acting career.” Ajit, born Hamid Ali Khan, was a towering figure in Bollywood’s golden era, but when his son expressed a desire to follow suit, he laid down clear terms — no recommendations, no special introductions, not even an acknowledgment of their familial bond.

“He told me he would never produce a film for me, nor refer me to any director or producer. In fact, he preferred I hide our relationship altogether,” Shehzad recalled. In a time when nepotism dominates the debate around new talent, Ajit’s decision stands as a rare act of professional detachment — or perhaps, paternal insecurity.

A Father's Fear: Legacy Over Lineage
Why would a father with immense clout in the industry choose silence over support? Shehzad has a theory. “I think my father was a little insecure,” he said. “He must have feared that if I didn’t live up to his standards, it might tarnish his legacy.”

That fear didn’t stop Shehzad from carving his own path. Despite the odds — and the absence of the usual star kid privileges — he made a name with memorable roles, including the comically clueless Bhalla in Andaz Apna Apna, and later, appearances in Bharat and other films.

Of Films and Freedom: A Stark Industry Divide
Beyond family tales, Shehzad also offered sharp insights into the changing dynamics of Indian cinema. In his view, Bollywood’s creative decay stems from corporate interference. “Today, a director in Bollywood has to answer to a hundred people before making a single decision,” he lamented. “These are people who haven’t even attended film school or worked on a set. It’s no longer about storytelling, it’s about spreadsheets.”

In contrast, Shehzad lauded filmmakers from the South Indian industry, attributing their growing success to creative freedom and lack of bureaucratic chains. “Directors there are free to tell the stories they believe in. That’s why they’re succeeding — they haven’t let corporate thinking take over filmmaking.”