Farhan Akhtar is a man of many talents. He is a skilled director, singer and now a proven actor. A man of few words he steers away from all controversies even if it means disagreeing with Step mother Shabana Azmi. In an interview given to Spicezee’s Swati Chaturvedi for her show ‘Kahiye Janab’, the director par excellence openly talked about the difference of opinion that the two share.

Here are excerpts from a candid chat with the‘Rock On’ star:

Swati: You started as a director and not an actor. Why?

Farhan:I have always liked films and wanted to do something in films. But, I somehow didn’t have the confidence to be an actor. I had more confidence in writing and directing. I was perhaps more drawn towards writing.

Swati: Did you ever imitate an actor, actually did you ever copy Mr Bachchan?

Farhan:Yes, of course I did. There’s no denying that. In fact, anyone who is attracted to films would do that. And for me, back in those times, Mr Amitabh Bachchan was ‘The Hero’. Everyone wanted to be like him and I was no different. In fact, I always imitated his dialogue, “James Bond Ke Pote Hain”.

Swati:So then, what influenced you to start writing?

Farhan:Well, as you grow your interest shifts, you know what you really want to do. And, my interest shifted to writing.

Swati:So, how did you go about with it?

Farhan: I started working as an assistant director with Mr Adi Pocha. But, the agency focused more on writing scripts. Adi always told me one thing, “If you want to work as a film maker then you have to be a much focused writer first. That is really where creativity stems from”. I guess I followed his words religiously and with this conviction of writing came, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’!

Swati:Is ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ the story of Farhan Akhtar?

Farhan: (Laughingly) No, it’s not my story. But, the movie is certainly inspired by some of the incidents of my life and the life of my friends. You could say it’s a mishmash of many-many things.

Swati:What inspired you to make ‘Dil Chahta Hai’? You used a different kind of language in the flick…

Farhan: ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was a real coming of age story and introduced a new language to viewers. The use of ‘Hinglish’ came into fashion. There was a certain sensibility in the language and I guess that is what was introduced with the movie and that was my biggest achievement in terms of connecting with a new kind of audience.

Swati:Now tell us something about ‘Rock On’. Some thought it would be a funny film and some said that Farhan’s going to get egg on his face. What do you have to say to such critics?

Farhan:Well, I simply love surprising people and if people are surprised by the success of ‘Rock On’, I only wish they saw the movie once. And, about my role in the movie, I was simply lucky to have been involved as a producer first and extremely lucky to bag the role.

Swati:How excited was Farhan as an actor in ‘Rock On’?

Farhan:Very excited! I would say I always trusted my decision to be an actor. I tried to be as objective as I could. It was difficult, but I always felt that my choice was right.

Swati:So how did you feel being directed?

Farhan:I always had 20-40 minutes to relax while shooting, but that was not the case when I was a director. I was constantly busy, used to interact with the cast, had no time for myself. So when I had so much time on hand and nothing to do I felt very fidgety and left out. When you direct you don’t really have anytime to yourself, but as an actor you get some quality time to relax. When the shooting resumes you have to be really quick in focusing. And, that’s really hard-hitting!

Swati:What’s Farhan’s favourite- acting or directing?

Farhan:Both! Acting and directing, both are equally exciting and challenging. I’ve always directed only those films, which I believe in - that have forced me to direct them and make me feel that it’s worth it. So is the case with acting. I would want to do the roles that I believe in and am confident about.

Swati:Did ‘Dil Chahta Ha’ influence ‘Rock On’?

Farhan:When I read the script of ‘Rock On’, I felt it had the flavour of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Perhaps because the friendship portrayed in ‘Rock On’ was parallel to ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. But, the music in ‘Rock On’ and the guitar in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ are purely incidental.

Swati:Recently in an interview talking about the plight of the Indian Muslims Shabana Azmi stated that the they are been discriminated. What’s your take on it.

Farhan:Well, I certainly don’t agree with Shabana there. I think that I am at par with every other citizen of India. But, I have known Shabana for long now and as far as I know she doesn’t make statements for publicity. Perhaps she has her own reasons.

Swati:Which is your favourtie movie?

Farhan: I like all my movies. But my personal favourite would be ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. It gave me respect as a filmmaker.

Swati:What’s next for Farhan, cricket?

Farhan: (Comically) No I am not going there. I don’t wish to be a cricketer, I am just a spectator and that’s it. I will continue to direct and act in the roles that suit me the best.

Source: Zee News