Sridevi Slips on Set of Lamhe Because of Farhan Akhtar’s Early-Career Mishap — “I Thought My Career Was Over”

In a candid recollection, actor-director Farhan Akhtar has revealed a moment on the set of the 1991 film Lamhe that left him convinced his fledgling career was finished before it even began.

The Incident

Farhan, then just 17 and working as an assistant cameraman under veteran cinematographer Manmohan Singh on the Yash Chopra-directed Lamhe, described how he was sent to wipe a stain on the wooden floor mid-shoot. At that moment, Sridevi — deep into a dance sequence — slipped on the spot and fell in full view of the crew.

The stunned silence that followed made Farhan believe his career was over. He said: “Who was I to make Sridevi fall?” adding that he still remembers it “in slow motion” and thought: This is it, my career is over. 

Sridevi’s Reaction: Grace Under Pressure

Rather than reacting in anger, Sridevi reportedly burst into laughter and told the crew it was okay, which broke the tension and ended the moment on a lighter note. Farhan expressed deep gratitude, saying he owes much of his career to her response.

Why It Resonates

• Power dynamics & humility: For a young assistant to feel his job might vanish because of a superstar’s fall shows how fragile early-career positions can feel in big film sets.

• Star empathy vs intimidation: Sridevi’s reaction — laughter and acceptance — contrasts sharply with what might have been a punitive or humiliating reaction, and that change of tone arguably shaped Farhan’s emotional memory of the incident.

• Narrative of beginnings: Farhan has since become a well-known filmmaker and actor (with the upcoming project 120 Bahadur referenced in his story). The anecdote highlights a garden-path from nervous assistant to industry player.

• Public-eye vulnerability: Even a minor mishap on set can become a monumental memory in Bollywood’s publicity and memory culture. Farhan choosing to share it now underscores how such moments gain meaning over time.

The Controversy Layer

Some observers might question: why share this now? Is it a self-humbling disclosure, or is there a promotional angle ahead of his next film? The timing also raises questions about how such stories of stardom and near-failures play out as part of celebrity narrative-building.

Moreover, the tale underscores how newer entrants to Bollywood often feel under-resourced or un-empowered in high-stake environments, with reputations, careers and relationships on the line even from small incidents.

Final Take

Farhan Akhtar’s revelation about Sridevi’s fall presents more than a funny anecdote — it’s a window into the early insecurities of someone who now stands confident in the industry. It also offers a reminder: the difference between a career that derails and one that soars often turns on small acts of kindness, composure and forgiveness behind the scenes.