Akshay Kumar Reveals Why Son Aarav Bhatia Was Afraid to Meet Vidya Balan for 6 Years
Actor Akshay Kumar shared a surprising personal anecdote about his son Aarav Bhatia, revealing that he once refused to meet actress Vidya Balan for nearly six years after being deeply affected by her character in the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Akshay made the revelation while promoting his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan, during an event in Delhi. The film is set for theatrical release this Friday and marks Akshay’s return to the horror-comedy space.
Recalling the impact of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay said his son was extremely frightened after watching the 2007 film. He explained that Aarav became so convinced by Vidya Balan’s on-screen portrayal that he associated her with the character rather than the actor herself.
According to Akshay, Aarav was so scared that whenever Vidya Balan visited their home, he avoided meeting her and even refused to look at her. The actor shared that his son believed he was seeing “Manjulika” in real life, and despite repeated reassurance, remained unconvinced for years.
Akshay added that it took consistent efforts from him to explain that Vidya Balan was not the character she played, but a kind and real person. However, he noted that it took a long time for his son to overcome that fear completely.
The actor also used the occasion to differentiate between Bhool Bhulaiyaa and his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla, describing the latter as more of a fantasy-driven, family-friendly entertainer with lighter horror elements designed for a wider audience, including children.
With Bhooth Bangla gearing up for release, Akshay’s candid story added a personal touch to the promotional event, highlighting the lasting impact films can have on young viewers.
