Rising Bollywood star Junaid Khan, son of acclaimed actor Aamir Khan, is gearing up to take the stage in the much-anticipated play ‘Fats Thearts Runaway Brides’ as part of the prestigious Prithvi Festival. Scheduled for Tuesday, 12 November, the performance promises a delightful mix of humour and drama, exploring contemporary themes of love and relationships against the backdrop of a modern wedding.
Junaid, who made his theatre debut in August 2017 with director Quasar Thakore Padamsee’s adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’, has remained devoted to the stage despite a demanding film schedule. He describes this passion as foundational to his artistic development. His commitment to theatre continues even after his successful debut in the Netflix series ‘Maharaj’, where he garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of Karsandas Mulji, a mid-19th-century journalist.
The announcement of ‘Fats Thearts Runaway Brides’ has generated buzz, particularly as it marks Junaid’s return to the stage after his impressive digital debut.
In a recent episode of the popular game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 16’, which celebrated Amitabh Bachchan’s 82nd birthday, Aamir Khan spoke candidly about his son’s journey in the industry. Aamir revealed that he initially advised Junaid against pursuing a film career due to the challenges he faced during auditions. However, Junaid’s perseverance paid off, leading to his breakthrough role in ‘Maharaj’.
Still, Junaid’s journey has not been without controversy. As the son of a legendary actor, he faces significant criticism, with some labelling him a “nepo baby” and questioning his suitability for the big screen. Discussions on platforms like Reddit reflect a range of opinions. One user noted, “I mean, of course theatre acting is very different from modern-day Bollywood acting, but still, it’s not as if Junaid is a complete novice when it comes to acting.”
Another added, “People love to hate for engagement and views. Junaid was good in the movie. His dialogue delivery in long monologues will get better with time; the voice modulation is good, and you can feel his emotions.”
On the flip side, some comparisons to his father have drawn more critical responses. One commenter remarked, “He needs to rein it in. He doesn’t have command of his face and body language the way Aamir did, even in earlier movies, who could emote with just an expression.” Yet, others have advocated for Junaid, saying, “Criticism should be constructive. Junaid did well for a debut and will surely improve with time as he gains more experience and finds his forte.”
It remains to be seen how this play will impact audiences’ opinions on Junaid.
Looking ahead, the star kid has also secured a role in Advait Chandan’s upcoming romantic comedy, where he will star opposite Khushi Kapoor. This film is rumoured to be an adaptation of the hit Tamil movie ‘Love Today’, adding to the excitement surrounding Junaid’s growing portfolio.