Zayed Khan, son of veteran actor Sanjay Khan, made his Bollywood debut with Esha Deol-starrer Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne in 2003. The following year, in 2004, Main Hoon Na with Shah Rukh Khan came his way, and he became a household name. However, the beginning of his film career didn鈥檛 go as he had planned. The actor recently reflected on his acting journey.
Zayed Khan hails from a film family and had assumed he would debut with his family鈥檚 production house. Instead, he received an offer to star in Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne on an ordinary weekday. 鈥淚 started going to the gym, working out, and taking dance, dialogue, and acting classes 鈥 everything. In fact, I would even read my lines while waiting at the petrol pump. Gradually, it became an obsession,鈥 he said.
Zayed immersed himself in honing his skills, waiting for the right opportunity. It came unexpectedly when Hrithik Roshan, his former brother-in-law, was working on a film with Vikram Bhatt and Ameesha Patel. Zayed was on set to observe when someone approached him and offered him his first film. Zayed recalled, 鈥淗e said, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e very good-looking. Will you do a film for me?鈥 In that moment, I knew I was prepared, but I thought I would debut with a home banner.鈥
The offer surprised Zayed, but he didn鈥檛 accept it immediately. He sought advice from his father, veteran actor Sanjay Khan, who gave him wise counsel. 鈥淚 discussed it with my father and asked if he would mind. He said, 鈥榃hen you make your own life, you own it better, Zayed.鈥 That was the trust and reassurance I needed to accept the role in Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne. And as they say, the rest is history,鈥 he said.
On the work front, Zayed Khan was last seen in Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene in 2015. He is now set to make his digital debut with The Film That Never Was (TFTNW). Considered one of 2025鈥檚 most anticipated projects, details of the project are being kept tightly under wraps. Additionally, Zayed is rumoured to have signed on for a few other projects, but he remains tight-lipped about them.