Rajat Bedi Reveals Shah Rukh Khan & Aryan Khan Held Lakshmi Pooja Before Filming The Bads of Bollywood; Calls “Mannat” His ‘Buckingham Palace’ Moment

Veteran actor Rajat Bedi has given an insider peek into the launch rituals of the forthcoming series The Bads of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan and backed by Shah Rukh Khan. Bedi revealed that before production began, Shah Rukh and Aryan conducted a formal Lakshmi Pooja for friends, family and associated team-members at their office. He said he observed them discussing scenes and their dynamic while this ritual took place.

In addition to the puja revelation, Bedi described his experience visiting Shah Rukh’s residence Mannat for the trailer screening. He said entering Mannat felt “like going to Buckingham Palace” — a statement that has since drawn commentary about celebrity lifestyle and industry hierarchy.

The context: The Bads of Bollywood marks Aryan’s directorial debut, produced by Shah Rukh’s company. Bedi, who returns to prominence with this series, says his association with SRK dates back to the 1990s — and he watched the evolution of Shah Rukh’s relationship with his son.

Why this matters

• Ritual + symbolism: The fact that a major project begins with a traditional puja underscores how Bollywood still melds spirituality and superstition with business. It’s not just art; it’s ritualised launch-culture.

• Display of power & luxury: Bedi’s “Buckingham Palace” reference to Mannat elevates the narrative around celebrity homes — turning private residences into public symbols of status and access.

• Insider access: The comments underscore how joining a big-banner project offers not only creative work but social capital — the chance to enter exclusive spaces and networks.

• Narrative of legacy & access: With Aryan directing and Shah Rukh producing, Bedi’s comments highlight the fusion of legacy, industry relationships and the mechanics behind how big-shows get built.

Controversial angle

While the revelations seem benign, they also feed into deeper discussions:

• Access vs outsider: Having access to a home like Mannat, being invited for a trailer screening, witnessing private rituals—all point to how industry insiders gain privileges that outsiders rarely do. The “Buckingham Palace” metaphor may feel glamorous, but also exclusionary.

• Ritual as marketing: The Lakshmi Pooja might be spiritual, but when discussed publicly, it also becomes part of the PR narrative: “We began with blessings. This is destined to succeed.” Some may argue this is less about faith, more about framing.

• Power optics: The sheer scale of mention—the home, the screening, the pre-production rituals—cements the idea that big-projects are as much about spectacle (and who you know) as about talent or story.

Bottom line

Rajat Bedi’s recollections are far more than casual anecdotes. They provide a look behind the velvet curtain of Bollywood’s big-budget launches: rituals, homes, legacies and social signalling. Whether you view them as charming glimpses of tradition or as symbols of inequality, there's no denying that this is part of how the industry works.