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‘Music has given me so much comfort’: Farhan Akhtar on his debut English album 'Echoes'

Farhan Akhtar on giving an outlet to his feelings through his debut English album

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Farhan Akhtar
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Music has always been an integral part of Farhan Akhtar’s repertoire, whether as a filmmaker or an actor — right from his directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai (2001) to his last outing as a singer, Rock On 2 (2016). Over the years, he has lent his voice to tracks in Rock On!! (2008), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and more. While all those have been in Hindi, the actor-filmmaker-musician’s first solo English album Echoes released yesterday. The musician, who performs with Farhan Live Band, says that he has chosen to release the 11-track record in English because that’s the language in which he can best articulate his feelings.

A MEDIUM TO EXPRESS EMOTIONS 

Four singles of the album — Rearview Mirror, Seagull, Why Couldn’t It Be Me and Pain or Pleasure — were released earlier. Farhan tells us that they are acoustic and intimate. The subjects are as varied as the Peshawar School Massacre in 2014 (Why Couldn’t It Be Me) to falling out of love and more. “I’m really excited about this album,” says the 45-year-old. He continues, “I’ve been performing as an artiste for six-odd years, and having a lot of fun doing music for films. But, I realised that it would be nice to share with my fans who I am and what my feelings are about things, instead of what a character thinks in a film. I’ve been writing poems for decades now and in the last couple of years, I started feeling a strong urge to put it all down and release it.”

Farhan tells us, “Music is a great outlet and has given me immense comfort. There’s so much love in creating something and it’s great when you are able to share it with people,” he states, adding that he cannot wait to play these tunes for a live audience.

MORE MATERIAL READY

The award-winning filmmaker tells us that he has more stuff ready to enter the studio again. The next record is likely to have collaborations. “Also, I need to focus on my film work. Currently, I’m in serious prep for the movie that I’m doing with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and need to see that through,” he explains. Farhan took a year-and-a-half off his film career to work on the album. “I didn’t shoot for anything between Lucknow Central (2017) and The Sky is Pink, and only focussed on music. I’m trying to be as single-minded about each task as possible,” he elaborates.

NO COMPOSITIONS FOR FILMS

Since Farhan has also created these tracks, we ask him if he has given composing for his own movies a thought. “Making music for Hindi movies is a completely different ball game. Also, I have been extremely fortunate to be working with the best in the business for the past 20-odd years. And like it’s said, if something is not broken, why fix it?” he reasons, “We have a great collaborative relationship with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. It has worked so well over the years and I choose to keep it that way.” 

The trio was also among the first people whom Farhan played the album for, when the songs were just scratches. “They loved the writing. They had tips in terms of music production and direction and I took the advice. They care a lot about me not only as a friend but also as an artiste, so the feedback was important,” he says. 

FEEDBACK FROM THE FAMILY

Needless to say, lyricist-poet father Javed Akhtar and director-screenwriter sister Zoya Akhtar form the inner circle that will always hear everything he creates. “For dad, what each number said, the word, as well as the story, was important. It’s not just tracks put together without any thought that impressed him the most. It’s easy-listening stuff, so he liked that as well,” Farhan signs off.

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