Shah Rukh Khan Was Upset Over Jaya Bachchan’s Happy New Year Review

Actor Mohan Kapur has revisited an old controversy surrounding the 2014 Bollywood film Happy New Year, recalling how veteran actress Jaya Bachchan’s critical remarks about the film reportedly left lead actor Shah Rukh Khan “upset” during a special screening attended by members of the Bachchan family. The film, directed by Farah Khan and starring Shah Rukh Khan alongside Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, Vivaan Shah, and Jackie Shroff, received mixed reviews from critics upon release but went on to perform strongly at the box office.

Despite its commercial success, it was widely criticised for its over-the-top treatment and slapstick narrative. Speaking on Siddharth Kannan’s YouTube podcast, Mohan Kapur recounted the incident from a private screening where Jaya Bachchan reportedly described the film as “nonsensical.” According to him, both Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were present at the screening, with Kapur recalling Amitabh Bachchan’s visibly “shocked expression” during the interval.

Kapur further stated that Jaya Bachchan had later conveyed her opinion directly to Shah Rukh Khan during a brief interaction outside the screening hall. He added that the actor responded politely, acknowledging her viewpoint while explaining that the film was intended as a light-hearted entertainer rather than a serious cinematic work. Kapur described Shah Rukh Khan as gracious in his response, maintaining that the film was made purely for entertainment purposes.

Also Read: Shekhar Suman Recalls Rejecting Shah Rukh Khan’s Payment Offer For Chalte Chalte

The actor also addressed the broader discussion around criticism and film reception, noting that audience and critical reactions often differ significantly. He emphasized that success and failure in cinema are subjective, pointing out that many films that are initially dismissed later gain appreciation, while others succeed commercially despite poor reviews. Kapur also shared his personal journey of being cast in Happy New Year, revealing that he initially approached Farah Khan for a role and was later included in a small part after an earlier opportunity did not materialize.

He described his role as limited but memorable, adding that he received criticism from some fans for participating in the film, though he stood by his decision to be part of a Farah Khan project. Happy New Year remains one of Shah Rukh Khan’s major ensemble entertainers, built around a group of misfits who enter a dance competition as part of a larger robbery plan, blending comedy, action, and heist elements.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Assisting Pregnant Deepika Padukone During 'King' Film Shoot wins the Internet