A slip of the tongue nearly ended one of Bollywood’s most successful actor-producer partnerships
In a revealing interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh, producer Ratan Jain shared a behind-the-scenes story that almost derailed his fruitful collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan during the 1990s.
The Rise of a Partnership
The early ’90s marked a pivotal period for Shah Rukh Khan’s career. Following his breakthrough performance in Baazigar, produced by Ratan Jain, the actor-producer duo had established a promising working relationship. Their collaboration would eventually yield several successful films including Yes Boss, Badshah, Josh, and Main Hoon Na.
The Fateful Conversation
The trouble began during pre-production discussions for Yes Boss. While negotiating with Shah Rukh Khan alongside director Aziz Mirza, Jain made an offhand comment that would trigger an explosive reaction.
According to Jain, director Aziz Mirza had suggested finding an alternative if Khan wasn’t interested in the project. In the heat of the moment, Jain inadvertently told Shah Rukh that he would approach Saif Ali Khan instead—a remark he immediately regretted.
The Midnight Confrontation
Khan’s anger was immediate and intense. He first vented his frustrations to Hari Singh, Jain’s associate, before calling the producer himself late at night. During the heated conversation, an incensed Khan questioned the producer’s decision to replace him with Saif Ali Khan, even asking dismissively who Saif was. When Jain tried to pass it off as a verbal slip, Khan rejected the excuse, insisting that words reveal true intentions.
The superstar issued an ultimatum: he would fulfill his commitment to complete Baadshah but declared their professional relationship would end afterward.
The Resolution
Khan remained upset for several days, but eventually, Jain’s sincere apology helped mend the rift. The producer acknowledged his mistake and took full responsibility for the inappropriate comment. Their partnership not only survived this incident but continued to flourish with multiple successful projects in the years that followed.
This episode offers a glimpse into the passionate and sometimes volatile dynamics of Bollywood’s film industry during its transformative years, when Shah Rukh Khan was cementing his position as one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars.
