One Year Since Junaid Khan's Debut, Why Aamir Khan's Son Remains Bollywood's Most Non-Nepo Kid
New Delhi:
The nepotism debate has been a hot topic in the Bollywood circuit for the longest time. At the end of the day, the argument is always about who lasted after the big biased Bollywood launch.
Aamir Khan's eldest son Junaid Khan seems to be traversing from the other end of the pole when it comes to his Bollywood debut which was on OTT.
Maharaj was Junaid Khan's OTT debut film. Set against the backdrop of 1862 Bombay, it is the story of Karsandar Muji (Junaid Khan), a journalist and social reformer who makes it his mission to expose a powerful religious leader Jadunathji Maharaj (Jaideep Ahlawat), based on the latter sexually exploiting his female followers. These bhakts are blinded by their faith in him and unknowingly walk into his trap as he manipulates their minds. As the film progresses, Jadunathji resists and hits back at Karsandas by suing him for defamation. The climax closes on the court case where Karsandas defends himself against the ongoing libel suit and succeeds in exposing Jadunathji on his unacceptable misconduct. The final verdict leads to initiating criminal proceedings against the "Maharaj".
So Didn't Maharaj Negate The "Glamorous" Bollywood Debut Tradition For A Star Kid?
Now for someone who has the tag of "Aamir Khan's son" so deeply attached to him, the nepotism-dissing bandwagon would automatically envision a splashy debut for the actor.
Maharaj was anything but that.
Interestingly, Junaid Khan himself is anything but "out there".
He is shy and simple. So relatable is he that the very pitch of nepotism that is perched on how everything is handed over on a silver platter seems out of context in Junaid Khan's case.
He didn't go for a typical blingy debut film where he is paired opposite the perfect "Hindi cinema heroine", no romancing on mountain tops, no couture wardrobe drama, no big banner promotions or method-dressing to look his onscreen part, and most interestingly, no stirring theatrical release - in a nutshell, no showsha.
Junaid Khan--the man destined to redefine the narrative of nepotism in the Bollywood industry..and captivating hearts with his talent and impeccable charm🤌🏻❤️✨
[ Junaid Khan, Amir Khan, Maharaj Movie, Bollywood edits, Bollywood, Sharvari, Netflix ] pic.twitter.com/Y2TQNyBM6W
— DforDISHI (@DishiBilodiya_) July 16, 2024
Junaid Khan went against the very outline of what the introduction of a "Nepo-kid" should be like.
If anything, the 32-year-old got embroiled in a court case, where the film faced legal charges from a religious group for allegedly hurting their sentiments. His film which was earlier supposed to be released on June 14, 2024, in theatres, was then discreetly redirected for a Direct-To-OTT release on Netflix, on June 21, 2024, once the stay order from the Gujarat High Court was lifted.
A Debut Film's "Debut" Controversy
As mentioned earlier, the storyline of Maharaj was based on the real-life 1862 libel case, which was a very sensitive topic. This invited the wrath of a certain section of followers of the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect, and was dedicated to God Shree Krishna. The followers objected that the film's portrayal of the issue might lead to severe distortion of religious practices and unwanted hatred amid people. They moved the Gujarat High Court, stating potential violations of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and self-regulation norms for OTT platforms.
👉The poster for Maharaj shows a tilak-sporting, tuft-bearing man on one side, while there is a sharply dressed young man (Amir Khan's son Junaid
👉Anti-Hindu web-series and movies have been shown on Netflix in the past as well. #BoycottNetflix | Ban Maharaj Film
Boycott… pic.twitter.com/d971BOElwe
— अखण्ड भारत संकल्प (@Akhand_Bharat_S) June 13, 2024
The Gujarat High Court stuck to its decision of holding back the release of Maharaj until further hearings but ultimately lifted the ban which led to its Netflix release. The court emphasized on the need to strike a balance between artistic expression with communal harmony.
The decision of going low on the fanfare of marketing the film was also consciously made, to not trigger the religious groups any further.
The result was ultimately a warm response to Junaid Khan, welcoming him with open arms to the movies. At the end of the day, the strategy of letting content be the king truly worked in his favour.
A debut like this and an actor like him, Junaid Khan is the commendable in his craft. The actors shines in #Maharaj with his impressive and powerpacked performance! #JunaidKhan pic.twitter.com/ctqtpXmBmY
— Srabanti Chakrabarti (@srabantic) June 21, 2024
The Boy-Next-Door Guide Ft. Junaid Khan
There was a phase where Junaid Khan was probably, even found a little of an oddball for picking public transport over flashy cars to travel.
Paparazzi pictures and videos of the actor hailing autos and walking down the streets like every other ordinary passerby seemed to be a refreshingly new sight for the internet. Because which star kid would bask in such comfort and simplicity in today's age?
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by PapaPaparazzi (@papapaparazziofficial)
In several interviews, Junaid Khan has mentioned how he chose to pick practicality over luxury in a city like Mumbai, where public transport would help in wading past the insane traffic. He reiterated there was no philosophical angle to the way of life he chose, but one of efficiency. The wealth his family has was in no way a deciding factor for him on how he wanted to make his everyday life, a tad bit easier.
Mumbaikars would mostly miss Junaid Khan passing by them, as he would be clad in a simple tee and shorts with his trademark "backpack" slung over his shoulder.
Caption 🥹🥹
Junaid Khan is already winning hearts simply by being his true self, for using Wildcraft bag & public transport! 🥹🥹♥️ pic.twitter.com/HLzfEUaYYh
— Debi (@WhoDebi) April 9, 2024
Not every style statement has to come with a glossy designer tag, right?
A Case Of Mistaken Identity
Since we are on the topic of mistaking Junaid Khan as the Nepo child that he shall forever be on the edge with, a recent incident shall put that thought into perspective.
Two days back at the premiere of Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par, Junaid Khan was blocked by Salman Khan's bodyguard from approaching the Sikandar star.
It was simply a case of not identifying him as Aamir Khan's son.
Salman and Junaid khan
by u/AdUnlikely8132 in BollyBlindsNGossip
Now just when the internet would believe Junaid Khan to throw a fit, that any star kid would at such an offence, the Maharaj actor chose calm over chaos. He simply smiled back at the bodyguard and cleared the confusion in the air.
The video did go viral online, but Junaid Khan's restraint was yet another example of how humbleness looks like when you remove the "star" from being "starry".
No Love For Loveyapa
Considering his promising OTT debut in Maharaj, people were looking forward to his theatrical launch Loveyapa with Khushi Kapoor.
For some reason, two and two did not fit in, for this rom-com which was a Gen-Z love story. For the major part of the situation, Junaid Khan looked uncomfortable and out of place in the film.
I couldn't resist! 🙂
Junaid Khan in #Maharaj and #Loveyapa. ♥️ #JunaidKhan #AamirKhan pic.twitter.com/7XZZP6dEDA
— Kate Wordy (@KateWordy) February 10, 2025
He played the role of a local Delhi boy, Gaurav, who is in love with Baani (Khushi Kapoor). The plot centres on when the girl's father challenges them to swap their phones for a day before their marriage, and if their relationship lasts after knowing each other's secrets, the marriage is on.
As for the hits, Junaid Khan's Gaurav was yet another lighthearted and relatable individual. In his bubble, dealing with everyday relationship complexities and social media pitfalls. But when it came to the actor relating to his own onscreen and offscreen avatars, it was a complete misfire because there were no similarities.
The section of the audience who had put their expectations on Junaid Khan did feel let down, but his authenticity to accept his flaws won them over in some measure.
Battle Of Dyslexia
Coming to recent times, Aamir Khan opened up about dealing with Junaid Khan's dyslexia.
According to a Filmfare report, the actor opened up about Junaid's dyslexia struggle at a recent event.
"Maybe this is the first time I'm saying it... The person I'm going to talk about has already spoken about this publicly. So now I can talk about it openly. I'm talking about Junaid - my son Junaid... Junaid is dyslexic," he said.
Aamir Khan chronicled the challenges faced by a young boy with dyslexia named Ishaan, played by Darsheel Safary, in his 2007 directorial debut Taare Zameen Par.
The confession came days before the release of Sitaare Zameen Par, which is a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par.
A pic on Instagram
Junaid Khan himself had revealed his condition in an older interview. He had spoken at length about how his mother Reena Dutta and Aamir Khan realised that he suffers from dyslexia while reading the script of Taare Zameen Par.
Junaid Khan had told Vickey Lalwani, "Neither of my parents was particular (about my results)... I was also diagnosed with dyslexia very early on. So, I think they were mindful of that, especially in schooling... When they heard the script of Taare Zameen Par, they were like, ' Ek second... We have seen this in our lives. And actually, it was at that point that they took me to a specialist, and I was diagnosed with dyslexia."
It takes courage to say it as it is. As much as we like putting our Bollywood stars on a pedestal, and erasing their flaws, Junaid Khan has consistently portrayed himself to be like one of us, perfect with imperfections.
As Maharaj completes a year today, it is a good time to re-watch the film on Netflix. Maybe find some missed signs of that simmering acting potential in Junaid Khan. Or, just that he has never gone out of his way to throw around his weight of being a star kid. On the contrary, he is a shining example of how the "Nepo Kid" term can be viewed in a more positive light. We rest our case when we say, he's the most "Non-Nepo" Nepo Kid to root for.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Vikramaditya Motwane says Bhavesh Joshi Superhero was ‘angrier'; fans ask sequel even as he says ‘no one watched it'
Director-producer Vikramaditya Motwane spoke about his 2018 vigilante film Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, which did not work at the box office but has gained a cult following through the years. In an interview with IMDb, the filmmaker got candid about how 'no one watched' the film, but it has since received love. (Also Read: Vikramaditya Motwane has a mic-drop reaction to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' comment on Sacred Games. See pic) Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor in a still from Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. Vikramaditya spoke about how Bhavesh Joshi Superhero was born out of his anger at the system, with the passport scene from the film, in particular, being inspired by real life. He then said, 'The original script was a lot angrier. It almost got made a couple of times but didn't, so I put it to bed for a while.' The project was revived when Abhay Koranne read the script and asked Vikramaditya to work on it. Vikramaditya also said that his love for superhero films and graphic novels, along with a sense of real-life injustice, inspired Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. He said, 'When the film was released, no one went and saw it in theatres. To see the love and passion for the film now is very heartening. " He ended the video by teasing that there might be a sequel. Comments under the interview saw fans of the vigilante film ask for a sequel. One person wrote, 'Only a Bhavesh Joshi sequel can fix me now.' Another wrote, 'Sequeeeeelll.' Another wrote, 'Movie to achi thi hi soundtrack bhi Boht mast tha (The movie was good, as was the soundtrack).' Some fans even commented, asking Vikramaditya to re-release the film in theatres. About Bhavesh Joshi Superhero Bhavesh Joshi Superhero follows the origin tale of a young man named Siku (Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor) who turns into a masked vigilante after his friend is murdered. Set against a corrupt system, Siku fights against indifference as a crusader on a mission. Priyanshu Painyuli, Ashish Verma, and Nishikant Kamat also star in the film, which is available for streaming on JioHotstar.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Indian businessman gifts a custom pink Rolls-Royce to his 1-year-old daughter. Internet says, ‘We are not impressed'
In a world where over-the-top gestures are increasingly the norm on social media, Indian businessman Satish Sanpal may have just redefined extravagance. Celebrating Father's Day in Dubai , Sanpal stunned the internet by gifting his one-year-old daughter, Isabella, a custom-built pink Rolls-Royce—complete with monogrammed interiors, a personalized note, and a 'Congratulations, Isabella' nameplate. The video, originally posted on Instagram , features the founder of ANAX Developments arriving at the luxury showroom with his wife Tabinda and toddler in tow. What follows is a scene straight out of a luxury lifestyle reel: pink balloons, music, dancing, and a glittering car unveiled for a child who, quite literally, can't even drive it for another 17 years. But this wasn't Isabella's first brush with grandeur. In February, her first birthday party was a jaw-dropping spectacle held at Atlantis The Royal, one of Dubai's most opulent hotels. The venue was transformed into a winter wonderland with artificial snow, icy chandeliers, and white trees, all topped off with appearances by Bollywood stars like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Tamannaah Bhatia, Atif Aslam, and Nora Fatehi. Isabella made her entrance in a princess carriage wearing a ball gown that might've made Cinderella blush. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The UK's Best-Selling Relief Shoe Has Just Been Named The 2025 Test Winner. Daily Buzz Report Undo View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Dubai | لوڤن دبي (@lovindubai) A Dubai dad moment; or a viral misfire? While the Instagram caption praised Sanpal's lavish gesture as the ultimate 'Dubai Dad' moment, not everyone on the internet was swooning. Comments ranged from sarcastic to critical. One user noted, 'Must be a really nice feeling when you get gifted something so special, knowing you cannot use it for the next 17 years.' Another quipped, 'It's a tacky and flashy display of wealth and just proves that money does not buy class.' Others pointed out the absurdity of giving a toddler a high-end car when 'small kids are the happiest with empty containers and boxes.' Given the flashy nature of Instagram post, a commentor wrote, "Another show off, we are not impressed sorry." You Might Also Like: Chennai IT company employees get surprise Creta SUVs as gifts as it marks 10th anniversary Luxury or lunacy? While gifting luxury cars isn't unheard of in the world of billionaires and Instagram influencers, the gesture has sparked broader conversations around parenting, wealth display, and whether such ostentatious acts make meaningful memories or just eye-rolls. In a country like India, where millions of children grow up without basic amenities, such gestures inevitably invite scrutiny—especially when shared online with cinematic flair. While Sanpal might see it as a father's way of showing boundless love, the jury of the internet seems divided between awe and exhaustion. For now, baby Isabella has a Rolls-Royce she can't drive, a designer wardrobe she'll outgrow in months, and a social media footprint most adults would envy. As for the rest of us? We're still debating whether this was a parenting flex or just another tone-deaf showcase in the age of viral opulence. You Might Also Like: Did Zerodha's Nithin Kamath gift 'BMWs, Audis, Mercedes' to top employees as bonuses?
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives OTT Release Date: When and where to watch this absurdly real Italian comedy
Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives OTT Release Date: Netflix is ready to serve up a uniquely Italian comedy full of obsession, betrayal, and one hilariously twisted mystery. Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives (originally titled Ogni Maledetto Fantacalcio) is a sharp and self-aware look at how a 'harmless' fantasy game among friends can spiral into chaos when ego, secrets, and bonus points collide. The film premieres globally on August 27, exclusively on Netflix. What is Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives all about? At the heart of this outrageous story is the Mai una gioia Fantasy Football League, a close-knit (but emotionally chaotic) group of long-time friends bound by their shared obsession with fantasy football. Things take a dramatic turn on what should've been a double celebration: Gianni's wedding and the final game day of their fantasy season. But Gianni (played by Enrico Borello, Supersex) never makes it to the altar… or the app. Even more bizarrely, the reigning champ didn't submit his final lineup, a cardinal sin in their fantasy world. Suspicion grows. Where is Gianni? Enter Judge Giudice, played brilliantly by Caterina Guzzanti (Carlo & Malik), witty, sarcastic, and not here for anyone's nonsense. Her interrogation begins with Gianni's best friend, Simone (Giacomo Ferrara, Suburra: Blood on Rome), a screenwriter whose life is more chaos than structure. As the investigation unfolds, we're introduced to the full, dysfunctional league lineup, including the mysterious newcomer Andrea (Silvia D'Amico, Christian), who might be hiding more than one secret. The story barrels forward through a storm of group chats, rage-fueled messages, incriminating memes, and even death threats. Could a fantasy football league actually drive someone to murder? That's the question lurking behind every insult and emoji. Meet the cast and cameos Giacomo Ferrara as Simone Enrico Borello as Gianni Caterina Guzzanti as Judge Giudice Silvia D'Amico as Andrea Francesco Russo (My Brilliant Friend) Antonio Bannò (Christian) Valeria Angione (Falla girare 2) Diletta Leotta – TV presenter Pierluigi Pardo – Sports commentator Riccardo Gentile – Sports commentator Giuseppe Pastore – Journalist Daniele Orsato – Former football referee Leonardo Pavoletti – Professional footballer Fantasy Football Ruined Our Lives is as much a whodunit as it is a brutally honest portrayal of modern friendships tangled in competition and digital drama. Streaming August 27 on Netflix, this Italian original might just make you think twice before inviting your friends into another fantasy league. Or at least, before sending a death threat in the group chat.
