At a time when Bollywood is sharply divided over the debate on nepotism, filmmaker and actor Viveck Vaswani, who once played a key role in shaping superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s early career, has offered a grounded and heartfelt perspective.

For Vaswani, helping the next generation — especially SRK’s children Aryan and Suhana Khan — isn’t a question of privilege but one of mentorship, loyalty, and family.

A natural progression, not privilege

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Vaswani said that extending support to one’s children or friends was simply human nature.

“When I could go out of my way for my friend Shah Rukh, why shouldn’t he do the same for his own children? Woh toh dost tha, yeh toh beta hai. He’ll do everything he can for his son. And if he called me and said do anything for Aryan and Suhana, I would do it too. Where’s the problem in helping youngsters succeed?”

Known for his direct and no-nonsense opinions, the filmmaker defended his long-time friend’s right to back his children in their creative pursuits, emphasising that every artist must eventually stand on their own merit.

Standing by the Khan family

Vaswani, who has known SRK since his early days in Mumbai and helped him establish his acting career, said he holds nothing but goodwill for the Khan family.

“I bless them. I wish them all the success. I thought Suhana was very good in The Archies. I thought Aryan directed The Bads of Bollywood very well. I’m fully supportive. They’re Shah Rukh’s kids — I’d support them even if it wasn’t that good, like I would my own children. They’ll make mistakes, they’ll grow, they’ll rise,” he said.

For Vaswani, supporting young talent — whether born in the industry or entering it from outside — is part of the creative process. “At our age, we are not going to dismiss people. We’re going to support them,” he added.

Beyond friendship and fame

The filmmaker also reflected on his long-standing bond with Shah Rukh Khan, describing their friendship as one built on trust and mutual respect.

“We are friends. If he calls me at two in the morning, I’ll be there. If I call him at two in the morning, he’ll be there too. That’s all that matters,” Vaswani said.

He added that in an industry often driven by competition and public perception, genuine support is rare but essential. Helping one another, he said, should not be mistaken for nepotism when it comes from a place of mentorship and care.

Suhana and Aryan chart their own paths

Both Aryan and Suhana Khan have now stepped into the world of cinema in their own ways.

  • Suhana Khan made her much-anticipated debut in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, which premiered on an OTT platform last year. She will soon be seen alongside her father in King, marking her debut on the silver screen. The film’s first look was unveiled on November 2.
  • Aryan Khan, on the other hand, has opted to stay behind the camera. He recently launched his directorial debut series The Bads of Bollywood under Red Chillies Entertainment, Shah Rukh Khan’s production banner.

While both face inevitable comparisons with their superstar father, Vaswani believes they are determined to carve independent creative identities.

Nepotism versus nurture

The nepotism debate has long divided Bollywood, pitting the idea of meritocracy against legacy. Vaswani’s comments present a nuanced take — that familial support does not negate talent or hard work. For him, the real question is not whether star kids get opportunities, but whether they use them well.

A legacy of support

Having stood by Shah Rukh Khan in his struggling years, Vaswani’s perspective comes from experience rather than ideology. His message is simple — support, nurture, and let the next generation prove themselves.

In the world of cinema, where dreams often depend on who opens the door, Vaswani’s words serve as a reminder that helping someone take their first step is not unfair — it’s human.