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I grew up mimicking Robert De Niro: Farhan Akhtar
He wrote and directed Dil Chahta Hai, acted and sang in Rock On!!, produced Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, judged Nach Baliye Season 1 and even launched a social campaign called MARD. Brunch interviewed the man with a beautiful smile and a husky voice, Farhan Akhtar.
Someone who is running towards the stage to perform as a rockstar.
The first thing they really connected with is the music. For Shakya, it was Dil Chahta Hai; for Akira, it was Rock On!!. They have gone from being excited adolescents to embarrassed teenagers.
When I was writing the script, Saif’s character.
The best compliment you’ve ever received.
An old Sikh gentleman at the Chandigarh airport who had just watched Bhaag Milkha Bhaag told me, "Aapki kismet mein Milkhaji ka role likha tha. Aur Milkhaji ke kismet mein aapki performance."Also read: Do Farhan and Sonam share any chemistry at all?
One rock band you wish you were a part of.
None. It would completely change the dynamics of the band if I were there.
Were you disillusioned after being expelled from college?
I was having a blast! I didn’t miss going to college at all.
What annoys you the most?
When people are extremely overbearing, especially when you don’t know them!
You have a cameo in Marathi film, Por Bazaar...
Secretly, I have done many before. Nobody knew it was me. This is the first time I have decided to put my name to it.
You’re joking! (Laughs) Obviously!
One thing you’ve learnt from your dad that you’d like to pass on to your kids.
To not be easily happy with your own work. Be self-critical.
Directing, acting, singing... Which role is the easiest for you?
I don’t know which is easy, but the one that’s probably the most challenging is writing.
Does Bollywood need to learn from Hollywood?
To look at Indian movies through the prism of what happens in the West is a very wrong idea. We are very different cultures. As long as different films regarding different things are made and there is access to all kinds of cinema, I think it’s a healthy sign.
Any genre of film which you are particularly fond of?
Drama. This is because as I grew up, the influences I had and the conversations around me vis-a-vis films was that cinema is about telling a dramatic story. That has worked its way into my subconscious.
- Interviewed by Atisha Jain
From HT Brunch, October 5
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