Farah Khan gears up for acting debut

Come December and choreographer-director Farah Khan will venture into a completely different world – acting. The ‘nervous’ choreographer-director is dieting, attending dialogue delivery classes and honing her acting skills for the big screen debut.

Come December and choreographer-director Farah Khan will venture into a completely different world – acting. And before she makes the big switch for Bela Segal’s Shirin Farhad (SF), a ‘nervous’ Farah is going through extensive preparations including dialogue delivery, weight loss and acting lessons.

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Sources contend that Farah plans to lose about 10 kilos before she starts shooting for the film. “She wants to look presentable in the film. Thanks to her stints as a choreographer and a director, she knows what it takes to deliver perfectly on screen,” says one such source.

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Segal’s brother and producer, confirms: “Yes, Farah is putting in a lot of effort into her role. Besides working out, she is dieting and attending dialogue workshops too.” He adds with a smile: “She is also trying to control her nerves. Actually, she has had a few nervous breakdowns during workshops.”

Apparently, Farah is also taking voice and acting lessons. The Om Shanti Om (2007) director wants to shoot non-stop for SF with no distractions. Only Farah’s children will be allowed on the sets. And she isn’t going to write or direct anything during the shooting schedule.

It’s too entertaining a film. I am sure we are going to have a blast,” says Bhansali, who has also penned the script of her sister’s debut venture. Farah, on her part, has also spent time with lots of Parsis, trying to imbibe their accent and observing the way they dress, walk, talk and interact to play a Parsi woman opposite Boman Irani.

For the uninitiated, while Farah is only half-Parsi, Boman is a full Parsi. “I am sure both of them will rock,” says Bhansali, adding with a smile. “Shirin Farhad Ki Nikal Padi, that’s what we are calling it right now, is going to start on Boman’s birthday (December 02). Once the shooting starts, I am going to be on the sets everyday to see Farah act. It’s going to be one of the most exhilarating periods of my life.”