When Aryan Khan was arrested in the cruise drugs case, his father Shah Rukh Khan left no stone unturned in securing the best legal representation. New revelations show the lengths the Bollywood superstar went to convince one of India’s top lawyers to handle his son’s defense.
During a recent appearance on Republic TV’s “The Legal Side of Things,” former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi shared the compelling story of how Shah Rukh Khan personally convinced him to represent Aryan in what would become one of the most high-profile bail cases in recent memory.
A Holiday Interrupted
Rohatgi was vacationing in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic when he first received a call about the case. “Someone close to Mr. Khan contacted me, asking if I would argue the case in Bombay High Court,” Rohatgi recalled. “I declined, not wanting to cut my holiday short.”
However, Shah Rukh Khan wasn’t ready to accept no for an answer. The actor managed to get Rohatgi’s personal number and called him directly. When Rohatgi maintained his position, Khan made an unexpected request that would change everything.
The Power of a Father’s Emotion
“He’s a great actor, and he asked, ‘Can I speak to your wife?'” Rohatgi remembered. In that conversation, Shah Rukh Khan revealed his vulnerability as a father, asking Rohatgi’s wife to view the situation not merely as another legal case, but as a desperate father’s plea for help.
The emotional appeal worked. Rohatgi’s wife was moved by Khan’s sincerity and ultimately convinced her husband to take on the case.
Going Above and Beyond
Shah Rukh Khan’s commitment to his son’s defense went far beyond securing representation. He offered Rohatgi a private jet to fly from England to Mumbai—an offer the lawyer politely declined, preferring commercial flights over smaller aircraft.
More remarkably, when Rohatgi arrived in Mumbai, he discovered that Shah Rukh had checked into the same hotel where the lawyer typically stayed—the Trident at Nariman Point. “I found him to be quite keen and intelligent,” Rohatgi noted. “He had prepared extensive notes and research points, beyond what the other lawyers had done.”
The actor’s hands-on approach impressed the senior advocate. Shah Rukh actively participated in case discussions, demonstrating both his intelligence and his deep investment in his son’s defense.
The Legal Battle
The case stemmed from an October 2021 NCB raid on a rave party aboard the Goa-bound Cordelia Empress cruise ship. Aryan Khan, along with friend Arbaaz Merchant and others, was arrested and spent over three weeks in custody before securing bail.
While the case attracted massive media attention due to Shah Rukh Khan’s celebrity status, Rohatgi emphasized it was “essentially a routine bail case” that became extraordinary only because of the “prominent personality” involved.
A Successful Outcome
The legal strategy proved effective. After arguing the case in Bombay High Court, bail was granted for Aryan Khan. Rohatgi promptly returned to England to complete his interrupted vacation. Aryan was later cleared of all charges in the drugs case.
The case saw multiple legal representations throughout its course. Initially, Satish Maneshinde, known for representing Rhea Chakraborty, handled Aryan’s defense, followed by senior advocate Amit Desai, before Rohatgi took over for the crucial High Court proceedings.
This behind-the-scenes account reveals not just a father’s determination to protect his son, but also how personal appeals and genuine emotion can sometimes accomplish what professional requests cannot. For Shah Rukh Khan, it was a reminder that even Bollywood’s biggest star is, at heart, simply a father who would do anything for his child.
