The world of Bollywood is full of fascinating behind the scenes stories but few are as endearing and unexpected as the one involving Akshay Kumar’s son Aarav Kumar and the versatile actress Vidya Balan. While the two families share a cordial bond today there was a significant period of nearly six years when young Aarav refused to even look Vidya Balan in the eye. This revelation came straight from Akshay Kumar during recent promotional events for his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla. The reason behind this long avoidance was not a personal feud or a family disagreement but rather a deep seated fear born out of one of Indian cinema’s most iconic performances.

The Haunting Legacy of Manjulika

In 2007 the psychological thriller Bhool Bhulaiyaa took the box office by storm. Central to its success was Vidya Balan’s dual portrayal of Avni and the vengeful spirit Manjulika. Her performance was so intense and convincing that it left a lasting mark on audiences across the country. However for a young Aarav Kumar the experience was more than just cinematic entertainment. Seeing Vidya Balan transform into the terrifying Manjulika on screen created a genuine sense of dread that he could not shake off for years.

A Childhood Trauma Caught on Screen

Akshay Kumar shared that after Aarav watched the film for the first time he became genuinely terrified of the actress. For a child the line between fiction and reality can often blur and Vidya’s commitment to the role made her inseparable from the character of Manjulika in his mind. Akshay recalled that whenever Vidya Balan visited their home Aarav would retreat and refuse to meet her. He would not even look into her eyes fearing that the spirit from the movie might suddenly reappear. This fear lasted for about six years during which the superstar father had to constantly reassure his son that Vidya was actually a very kind and gentle person.

Nurturing a Son Through Cinematic Fear

Helping a child overcome a specific fear requires patience and constant communication. Akshay Kumar mentioned that he spent a lot of time trying to nurture Aarav and explain the concept of acting. He repeatedly told him that what he saw on screen was just a performance and that Vidya Balan was a dear family friend. Despite these efforts Aarav remained unconvinced for a long time. It was only as he grew older and began to understand the mechanics of filmmaking that the fear finally began to fade. This anecdote highlights the incredible power of a great performance and how it can affect even those closest to the industry.

The Power of Authentic Performance

Vidya Balan herself has reacted to this story with a mix of amusement and pride. She once mentioned that Twinkle Khanna had told her about Aarav’s reaction and how he would sometimes run to his mother in fear just by hearing the songs from the film. For an actor there is perhaps no greater compliment than knowing their performance was so believable that it resonated deeply with the audience even if that meant scaring a young boy for half a decade. Vidya’s ability to evoke such strong emotions is exactly why she is considered one of the finest talents in Bollywood today.

A Full Circle Moment in 2026

As Akshay Kumar prepares for the release of Bhooth Bangla in April 2026 he looks back at these memories with a smile. The upcoming film is described as a horror fantasy more in the vein of a Disney movie making it more accessible for younger viewers compared to the psychological intensity of Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Today Aarav Kumar is a grown man with his own interests in fashion and design living a grounded life away from the typical glitz of stardom. The days of hiding from Manjulika are long gone but the story remains a legendary piece of Bollywood trivia that showcases the thin line between reel life terror and real life innocence.