In 2019, a video featuring 15 Bollywood bigwigs went viral. This was not a medley to support a social cause nor was this an end credit sequence of a Farah Khan multi-starrer. This was Bollywood as real as it can ever get.
The 30-second clip, shot by Karan Johar saw the likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Varun Dhawan, Shahid Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Vicky Kaushal, famed directors Zoya Akhtar, Ayan Mukerji in an apparently ‘wasted’ and intoxicated state. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa tweeted the same video and asked, “Are these your role models?”.
As much as substance abuse is as common in Bollywood as nepotism, to see your favourite stars losing it while not in ‘character’ was a rare and shocking sight and something had to be done about it. The Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was moblised to investigate the matter which disappeared from both the social and mainstream media a few days after making headlines. The party, according to India Today, was given a 'clean chit' by the Forensic Science Laboratory as they 'didn't find any evidence of actors consuming drugs.'
While there were damning details caught by the eagle-eyed netizens of the consumption of drugs at the star-studded party, like many other clips that make rounds on social media, Karan's viral video became a small bump in his otherwise smooth Bollywood journey.
As they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but what happens in Bollywood stays in Bollywood only if your ruling establishment does not want to make a circus out of what is otherwise a common practice, not just in Bollywood, but all across India.
Aryan Khan with Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan. PHOTO: MISS MALINI
Earlier this month, Shah Rukh Khan found himself right in the middle of a controversy after his son Aryan Khan was detained by the NCB for an alleged drug bust on a cruise before the youngster boarded it, reported The Indian Express. He was soon taken into custody and consequently arrested. The 23-year-old was then sent to a 14-day judicial remand.
The central agency said it was investigating “suspicious transactions constituting offences” under the Act. It said the total recovery, in this case, was 13 grams of cocaine, 5 grams of mephedrone, 22 pills of MDMA (Ecstasy) - all categorised as “intermediate quantities” - and 21 grams of charas, which falls in the category of “small quantity”. The recovery also included INR130,000 in cash, it said.
Even after several bail attempts, Aryan still sits behind bars without evidence of finding drugs on him, quoted Hindustan Times. On October 9, Aryan approached the session’s court after the detailed 15-page order was made available by the Mumbai magistrate court.
In the order, it was revealed that Aryan has not been found in possession of drugs. He has been 'charged with the consumption of drugs', the publication reported. So why did NCB oppose the bail plea? According to the bureau, the star kid's WhatsApp was filled to the brim with evidence of his involvement with the consumption of drugs. So much so that the bureau has assumed what Aryan's lawyer said were chats about football, was in reality his admittance to smuggling drugs in 'bulk quantities'.
In the same report, NCB argued Aryan would have boarded the cruise with the intention to consume and distribute contraband, which the latter has already denied. The agency also pointed out that since Aryan belonged to an influential family, they might try and tamper with evidence. All this, so far, is just hearsay. However, no amount of influence has managed to bail Shah Rukh's son out yet. The next hearing is scheduled for October 20, where the court will once again give a verdict on Aryan's bail.
Bollywood stands with SRK
There's a reason Shah Rukh has been termed as King Khan of the Indian film industry. It's not just the more than 80 films he's starred in or over 20 awards he has won. It's not the fact that he is one of the richest actors globally or how he completely owns the screen when he's at it. It's the sheer nature of the star that has multiplied his fans in billions.
It's the wit and charm of SRK, his brilliant acting prowess and his larger-than-life persona that he's touted as the biggest deal in Bollywood. One of the most talked-about traits of the Dilwale star has been how he has always stuck by those in need and so his massive support in the Aryan’s case is anything but surprising.
Soon after the news of Aryan's arrest broke out, many Bollywood stars lent support to the Khan family. The same day of Aryan's detainment, Filmfare reported Salman Khan was seen making his way to Shah Rukh's residence, Mannat. But it didn't stop there. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta and designer Farah Khan Ali also joined the Bollywood celebrities voicing support for the star following his son's arrest.
The Kaante director praised Shah Rukh and wrote in a tweet, “Shahrukh Khan has always been there in his own way for everyone that has ever needed help and reached out to him. This I can say for a fact!”
In a second tweet, he added, “I am a father. My son is 10-year-old. God forbid, if he has to pay the price for my beliefs, so not fair!”
Farah chimed in, “SRK and family have my support. Always have and always will have my support. Have known them personally for too long and know they are good people. I pray all goes well for them.”
Previously, Hrithik Roshan, Ali Fazal among others had called out authorities for ‘mistreating’ Aryan. Fazal had tweeted, “Another brick in the wall – playing out rather loudly in my headphones today."
The Mirzapur star joined the growing list of people from Bollywood who had come out in support of SRK and Aryan earlier, including his interior designer wife Gauri Khan, filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Farah Khan, Hansal Mehta, actors Raveena Tandon, Pooja Bhatt, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Somy Ali and comedian Johnny Lever among several others.
The Times of India quoted Suneil Shetty as saying, "When a raid is conducted at a place, many people are taken into custody. We assume that a particular boy must have consumed it (drugs). The process is on. Let's give that child a breather. Let real reports come out."
The outlet also shared an excerpt from Swara Bhasker’s posts on Aryan's arrest. “Aryan Khan is not your public elected official. He did not murder anyone. He is not the owner of a port bringing thousands of kilograms of drugs into the country. If he is a drug-snorting young man, too bad for him, his health, his dad's reputation and his wallet! That's it. There is the police, there is NCB and there is him and his loved ones, nobody except that needs to be worried!” she had shared.
Hrithik, in a detailed Instagram post, sent love and wishes to Aryan. "My dear, Aryan," the War star began, "Life is a strange ride. It’s great because it’s uncertain. It’s great because it throws you curveballs, but god is kind. He gives only the toughest ones the toughest balls to play. You know you are chosen when amidst the chaos you can feel the pressure to hold your own. And I know you must feel it now. The anger, the confusion, the helplessness."