As Bollywood has remained a luminous beacon attracting talent from across the globe, several international aspirants have come to the shores of India to make their mark in the Indian film industry. Joining the ranks of foreign nationals, such as Nora Fatehi, Sunny Leone, and Bob Christo, who have carved their niche and stardom in Bollywood, is Austrian actor Rohed Khan. Embarking on a tumultuous journey, Khan navigated through the challenging landscape of the film industry, fueled by a dream and sustained by determination.
Despite the risk of familial disapproval, Rohed Khan resolutely lied to his parents, intent on leaving his Austrian home to realize his ambitions in Mumbai, the heart of India’s cinematic universe. Initially inching his way into the glamour world through modeling, Khan soon felt unfulfilled, yearning for the opportunity to showcase his talent in films and television commercials (TVCs). His luck took a tentative turn for the better when casting director Shanoo Sharma noticed his potential during an audition, leading to him being signed for a pivotal role in the much-anticipated film ‘Takht’, under the banner of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
Khan recounted, with a hint of reflective melancholy, “Casting director Shanoo Sharma spotted me and I signed up for Karan Johar’s ‘Takht’ after auditioning for a pivotal role. But unfortunately, the film was shelved.” Despite the setback, the actor had already taken the first crucial step in the industry and had even received some remuneration for his efforts.
The intrepid actor didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity, as he was soon referred to director Sarvesh Mewara for the film ‘Tejas’, which would star Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut. Yet, as luck would have it, ‘Tejas’ failed to resonate with the audience and earned a disappointing total of only Rs 8 crore worldwide, deeming Khan’s official entry into the Bollywood film fray a flop.
Undeterred, Rohed Khan made a bold decision that few would dare – he turned down a role in the global phenomenon ‘Squid Game’ to act in the Bollywood actioner ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ featuring iconic stars Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Explaining his choice, Khan shared, “I signed the contract for ‘Squid Game’ but chose ‘BMCM’ over it. My sister told me to go for ‘Squid Game’, but it’s all destined. There was a date clash too; otherwise, I would have done ‘Squid Game’ as well.”
Regrettably, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ did not fair well, garnering negative responses from the audience and suffering at the box office despite the presence of stalwarts like Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. This taste of reality has been a stark contrast to the dreams Khan held when he first stepped into Mumbai.
However, in the unforgiving world of cinema, where each day brings new prospects, Rohed Khan’s story is far from concluded. The actor is set to appear in the upcoming motion picture ‘Sarzameen’, which comprises a cast that includes seasoned actress Kajol and debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of veteran actor Saif Ali Khan, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran once more.
The film ‘Sarzameen’ is currently in the production phase, and expectations are brimming for all involved, especially for Khan, who is determined to redeem his place in the industry and turn his fluctuating fortunes around.
Meanwhile, avid movie buffs and followers of Rohed Khan’s journey can also keep abreast of the latest developments and industry news through the DNA app, which is now ready for download on the Google Play Store. The app invites its users to engage and share their feedback, creating a digital space where the cinematic community can thrive and interact.
