Reason why legendary actor Ajit told his son to hide their bond: Shehzad Khan REVEALS!

Actor Shehzad Khan has shared the hard truth about his father — the legendary villain Ajit — and how he was discouraged from using family ties to advance his acting career. Known for his suave menace and unforgettable “Lion” persona in 1970s Hindi cinema, Ajit (born Hamid Ali Khan) ruled the silver screen. But at home, he set strict boundaries for his son’s ambitions. This stands in stark contrast to today’s widespread debate on nepotism, where star kids often benefit from insider access.

“Don’t tell them I’m your father”

Speaking to Lehren Retro, Shehzad candidly admitted, “I never got any support from my father regarding my acting career.” Ajit, despite his towering influence, made it clear he wouldn’t open industry doors for Shehzad — no recommendations, no introductions, and certainly no production offers. In fact, he even suggested Shehzad hide their father-son relationship. “He told me he would never produce a film for me, nor refer me to any director or producer,” Shehzad recalled.

A father’s insecurity over legacy

Why would a father with such clout refuse to help his own son? Shehzad offered an honest assessment: “I think my father was a little insecure. He must have feared that if I didn’t live up to his standards, it might tarnish his legacy.” Despite the absence of shortcuts, Shehzad persevered, eventually winning hearts with comic roles in ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ as Bhalla and appearing in films like ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ and ‘Bharat’.



“Today, a director has to answer to a hundred people…”

Beyond family, Shehzad also criticized the current state of Bollywood, pointing to corporate interference as the reason behind its creative slump. “Today, a director has to answer to a hundred people before making a single decision,” he said. Praising the South Indian industry, Shehzad highlighted how their filmmakers retain creative freedom, allowing them to thrive without the burdens of bureaucracy. “That’s why they’re succeeding — they haven’t let corporate thinking take over filmmaking,” he concluded.

On the other hand, Shehzad’s previous outing was in the TV series ‘Jassi King - The FAKR’.