While most actors view direction as a natural progression from acting (right from Guru Dutt to Vijay Anand to Aamir Khan), Farhan chose the reverse conduit.
Director Farhan Akhtar puts aside the baton to fulfill his dreams — acting and singing in Rock On, writes Farhana Farook
Farhan Akhtar doesn’t lead a script-bound life. Rather, he believes in bending the rules. While most actors view direction as a natural progression from acting (right from Guru Dutt to Vijay Anand to Aamir Khan), Farhan chose the reverse conduit.
After directing the urbane Dil Chahta Hai, the challenging Lakshya and also daring to remake the classic Don, Farhan has reworked his dynamics with the camera. He is now facing it!
Finding his voice
Not only is he playing a band member in Abhishek Kapoor’s Rock On, Farhan has even gone ahead and sung five tracks. “I identified with the character. It laid great emphasis on rock music—something I love. I’ve been playing the guitar since eight to nine years. In a city like Mumbai, where everything is designed to add to your stress, music is therapeutic. Each time I strum the guitar I feel calm,” says Bandra boy Farhan.
Fantasies full-on
The wiz kid seems to be enjoying his trek to self-discovery. “Singing and performing was a fantasy-a dream that I lived. I want to take it a further and write my own songs. I’ve strange fantasies about being a great cook someday. I enjoy cooking. It takes you into a calm space just like writing and music,” he says languorously.
Was it difficult letting off his guard before the camera? “Acting is extremely liberating. Your responses are so different from those in your real life that you feel strangely free,” answers Farhan.
The world of women
Farhan, whose world is peopled with ‘rocking’ women (writer-mother Honey Irani, hairstylist wife Adhuna Akhtar, filmmaker sister Zoya Akhtar), has two little daughters—Shakya and Akira— added to the power list. “We now have two female Labradors too,” he jests adding, “There’s a saying, ‘When you have one child, you’re a parent, but when you have two you become a referee’. That’s how life’s changed after Akira. I love spending time with my girls—at the pool, travelling or simply being at home.” About wife Adhuna he says, “She’s brought in stability. Her love for me is unwavering. She’s someone who reminds me that I’ve been working too hard and need to take time off. She’s someone who puts my life in order.” And is he anticipating female fervour after his romance with the silver screen? “That’s something I feel shy about,” he says softly.
k_farhana@dnaindia.net
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