Farhan Akhtar is a Manoj Tiwari fan!

Akhtar plays an aspiring Bhojpuri actor in his next film; hopes it will connect with a majority in the heartland of India.

Till date, he has played a variety of roles, especially urbane characters in films such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do. Even his directorial ventures, Dil Chahta Hai and Don were highly stylised urban films. But now, HT Café has learnt that Farhan Akhtar plays an aspiring Bhojpuri actor in his next film.

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“Yes, it can be called one of the best-kept secrets vis-à-vis the film that Farhan will be seen in a very earthy character, who wants to become an actor. We relate him to being an urban Bandra guy but it would be interesting to see him get into such a new zone,” says an insider.

Not just that, Farhan will be shown as a huge fan of Bhojpuri actor-singer Manoj Tiwari in the film. “Of course, going by the character’s brief, he will be seen talking, behaving and emoting like a Bhojpuri actor,” says the insider, adding it was the “freshness of the character” that attracted Farhan to the project.

“Not many Bollywood actors have played an aspiring Bhojpuri actor in Hindi films. But the way Bhojpuri cinema has grown multiple folds in the past few years, Farhan feels the story will connect with a majority of people in the heartland of India,” adds the insider.

In fact, Farhan has been “so excited” about the film that he has undergone a month long prep for his role in the film. “Anyways, he is known to get into the skin of the character he plays, the kind of effeorts he put in to play sprinter Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. In the same vein, he is leaving no stone unturned for his new film too,” adds the insider.

Farhan couldn’t be reached for a comment.