Raghav Juyal, the dancer and actor celebrated as the "King of Slow Motion," has been garnering praise for his recent role in "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," the directorial debut of Aryan Khan. However, it has now been revealed that Juyal was initially hesitant to accept the role of Parvaiz, admitting that he "barely had any significance" when he first read the script.
Juyal, who hails from Dehradun, far from the bustling film industry of Mumbai, has made a name for himself through his unique dance style and performances in movies like "ABCD 2" and "Kill". "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" offers a satirical look into the inner workings of Bollywood, exploring themes of friendship, ambition, and the unpredictable nature of showbiz. The series follows Aasmaan Singh, played by Lakshya Lalwani, an ambitious newcomer navigating the world of fame with the support of his close friend Parvaiz, portrayed by Juyal.
In an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal, Juyal confessed that his initial skepticism stemmed from the perception that the character of Parvaiz was underdeveloped. "When I read the script, my role barely had any significance," Juyal explained. "The focus was on everyone else's family backgrounds, and my character was just a small part cracking jokes. I told Aryan, 'I don't understand; I have nothing here'".
Despite his reservations, Juyal decided to take a leap of faith after a personal invitation from Aryan Khan to discuss the role at Mannat, Shah Rukh Khan's iconic residence. "He said, 'Brother, I have full faith in you. I have faith in myself. This is my favourite character. I know who you are, and we'll work on this together.' That gave me confidence," Juyal shared. Khan's conviction in Juyal's ability to bring the character to life and his promise to collaborate on its development ultimately swayed the actor. Juyal added, "I trusted his faith, and I decided to go for it because I wanted to be part of Aryan's debut. I love that family; I have a special affection for them".
Juyal's portrayal of Parvaiz has resonated with audiences, with many praising his natural acting and chemistry with the rest of the cast. One particular scene, where Parvaiz meets Emraan Hashmi and spontaneously sings Hashmi's song "Kaho Na Kaho" in an Arabic version, went viral, earning Juyal widespread recognition. Looking back, Juyal acknowledges the positive turn the role took in his career. "After the show, it was just crazy. It turned out exactly as he promised," he said.
The success of "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" has opened new doors for Juyal, including a significant role in one of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming projects. Juyal describes Khan as a mentor and expresses deep admiration for the superstar's humility and ability to recognize talent. This opportunity is particularly meaningful to Juyal, who recalls visiting Mannat as an aspiring actor and feeling inspired by Khan's journey. Juyal is also set to appear in the Telugu action drama "The Paradise" alongside Nani.
"The Ba***ds of Bollywood," a series produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, also stars Bobby Deol, Sahher Bambba, and Anya Singh. The series premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2025, and has received positive reviews for its direction, story, and performances.
Juyal's story is one of perseverance and trusting in the vision of others. From his early days of struggling in Mumbai, sharing a room with ten others and storing undergarments in a non-functional refrigerator, to gaining recognition on "Dance India Dance" and now starring in major projects, Juyal's journey exemplifies his determination to succeed. Inspired by Shah Rukh Khan's success, Juyal aspires to become one of the biggest superstars in the country, a goal he is actively pursuing with each new role.
