Hoga apne ghar ka Aryan Khan…

Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Bads of Bollywood turned out to be one of Netflix’s biggest surprises, earning rave reviews and trending in the platform’s Top 10 for weeks. While the show marked a major milestone for Shah Rukh Khan’s son, it was veteran actor Manoj Pahwa who became one of the audience’s biggest takeaways.

Interestingly, Manoj Pahwa almost didn’t do the show at all.

“Hoga Apne Ghar Ka…” — Why Manoj Pahwa Said No InitiallyIn a recent interview with Mashable India, Manoj Pahwa revealed that he initially refused Aryan Khan’s offer to be part of The Bads of Bollywood. The reason? The makers weren’t sharing the script.

“Aryan simply called me and told me he wanted me to do the role. I didn’t give any audition,” Manoj recalled. “But when I asked for the script, my manager told me they weren’t giving it to anyone. That put me off.”

Coming from a straightforward Delhi background, Manoj didn’t hesitate to say no.

“I was like, ‘Hoga apne ghar ka, hum bhi kam nahi hai.’ I’ve worked with Shah Rukh sir before, but we didn’t have any personal bond.”

Four Scripts Changed EverythingThings took a turn a week later when Manoj’s manager informed him that four different scripts had been sent by Aryan Khan’s team — a rare exception.

“I read them and really liked the material,” Manoj said. “When I met the team, they told me, ‘Please don’t tell anyone we shared the script. We sent it only because you had refused.’”

That honesty — and strong writing — convinced Manoj Pahwa to come on board.Aryan Khan Pushed Manoj Pahwa Out of His Comfort ZoneOnce filming began, Manoj admits Aryan Khan challenged him creatively like never before.

“He made me do things I’ve never done before — and those are the scenes getting the strongest reactions today,” Manoj shared.

One major discomfort was the **heavy use of abusive language**, something Manoj repeatedly questioned on set.

“I used to object, but Aryan would say, ‘Achha lagega, sir!’ He told me, ‘Sir, aapke mooh se gaali achhi lagti hai.’”

Despite his hesitation, Manoj respected Aryan’s clarity as a director.

“As an actor, I can only suggest. The final verdict is always the director’s.”

Shah Rukh Khan’s Warm Presence on SetManoj Pahwa also fondly recalled Shah Rukh Khan’s frequent visits to the set to support his son.

“Shah Rukh sir was extremely kind,” Manoj said with a laugh. “He would often say, ‘Aao Mannat, daaru peete hai.’”

He added that the entire team was treated with respect and professionalism.

“They paid us fully and treated us very well. That matters a lot.”

A Decision Manoj Pahwa Doesn’t RegretLooking back, Manoj is more than satisfied with his decision to say yes.

“The show turned out great and became extremely popular,” he said. “Aryan did a fantastic job.”

In The Bads of Bollywood, Manoj Pahwa played Avtaar Singh — Lakshya Lalwani’s on-screen uncle — a struggling musician whose life changes after going viral. His performance, along with Raghav Juyal’s, became one of the most talked-about aspects of the series.Final WordManoj Pahwa’s journey with The Bads of Bollywood proves that strong writing and clear vision can win over even the most reluctant actors. Aryan Khan’s debut not only established him as a director to watch but also earned respect from seasoned performers — no star surname required.