Sridevi's Kindness Saved Teenage Farhan Akhtar's Bollywood Dreams

In November 2025, acclaimed Bollywood actor, writer, director, and producer Farhan Akhtar shared a harrowing memory from his early days in the film industry. During a recent appearance on 'Aap Ki Adalat', the '120 Bahadur' star recalled an incident that nearly ended his career before it began.

When Farhan was just 17 years old, he was working as an assistant to cinematographer Manmohan Singh on the sets of Yash Chopra's 'Lamhe'. While Sridevi was rehearsing an intricate dance sequence choreographed by Saroj Ji, Farhan, who was the seventh or eighth assistant, was tasked with cleaning a stain on the wooden floor. As he bent down to wipe it off, Sridevi unknowingly walked over and slipped, falling to the floor.

Farhan described the moment in slow motion, with the entire unit freezing in shock. "I thought, 'This is it, my career is over,'" he admitted with a nervous laugh. However, Sridevi's response changed everything. Instead of anger or frustration, she handled the situation with remarkable calm and kindness, telling Farhan, "It's okay, it happens." Her gracious attitude set the tone, and the unit soon erupted in laughter, allowing Farhan to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Farhan remains deeply grateful to Sridevi, saying, "I will always be thankful to Sridevi -- I truly believe I owe my career to her." Decades later, Farhan has gone on to become one of Indian cinema's most respected artists, with acclaimed films like 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Lakshya', and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' to his credit. As he gears up for his next big release, '120 Bahadur', a war drama inspired by the real-life bravery of 120 soldiers, Farhan's early encounter with Sridevi's kindness continues to shape his remarkable journey in Bollywood.