Fardeen Khan recently opened up about the challenges he faced early in his Bollywood career, particularly after the failure of his debut film, Prem Aggan, in 1998. In multiple interviews, the actor shared how the film's poor performance impacted his career and the financial repercussions he had to deal with.
Khan revealed that Prem Aggan's failure led to significant professional setbacks. Several filmmakers who had previously signed him for future projects withdrew their offers, leaving him out of work. This sudden shift in his career trajectory forced him to return nearly ₹1 crore in advances, a substantial amount in 1998. "People I was supposed to be working with in my next few projects changed their mind and pulled out of the projects. Money had to be returned," Khan stated, emphasizing the harsh realities of the film industry.
Adding to the financial strain, Khan spoke about the Opel Astra he had purchased just before the film's release. With limited income, he struggled to manage the car installments and other essential expenses. This period marked a significant struggle as he navigated unemployment and financial instability early in his career.
Despite the initial setback, Fardeen Khan found unwavering support from his father, the late Feroz Khan. Acknowledging the difficult situation, Feroz Khan provided his son with a monthly allowance of ₹50,000 for a year, while also ensuring he had a roof over his head. Fardeen recalled his father's words: "I will support you for one year. You'll get Rs 50,000 a month and a roof over your head. After that, you're on your own." This tough-love approach, while strict, motivated Fardeen to find his own footing in the industry. Feroz Khan, having faced numerous challenges himself, instilled in his son the importance of resilience and self-reliance.
Fardeen described his father as a "formidable force of nature" who offered honest and constructive criticism. “He didn't sugarcoat anything, whether as a father or a filmmaker. He would criticise but never in a way that would diminish you. He told me where I needed to improve and what I was good at,” Fardeen shared. Despite being from a celebrated film family, Fardeen was never indulged with the perks of success. He revealed that he flew business class for the first time only during his second film, Jungle (2000).
While Prem Aggan was a critical and commercial failure, it won Fardeen the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Despite the initial negative reception, the film has gained a cult status over the years for being "so bad it's good".
After Prem Aggan, Fardeen went on to star in films like Jungle (2000), Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001), and No Entry (2005). Following a career decline and a hiatus from acting since 2010, Fardeen Khan marked his comeback in 2024 with the web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. He has since appeared in films like Khel Khel Mein and Housefull 5. Fardeen has also expressed interest in exploring opportunities in South Indian cinema, demonstrating his openness to new ventures in this second phase of his career.
