Director who rocks the screen with hip new role

A Farhan Akhtar film is always big news. But this weekend, audiences are queueing up at cinemas for a different reason. The media-shy director-producer makes his debut as actor and singer in Abhishek Kapoor's Rock On, which is produced by Akhtar's own production company, Excel Entertainment, and also stars Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny. The director-actor has been a name to reckon with since his 2001 directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai, resonated with urban Indian audiences, coming as a breath of fresh air compared to Bollywood's standard bump-and-grind movies. It acquired cult status and is now often cited as one of the industry's best films ever. Akhtar talks to Emirates Business about his new roles, production house, projects and influences on his career.



What convinced you to move from direction to acting with Rock On?

I always wanted to act but gave it up for a career in filmmaking. But when I heard the script of Rock On, I knew I had to do this film with Abhishek Kapoor. I follow my instincts and I knew the script had what it takes to be a good film. The story is about four friends who form a rock band that never makes it to the top. I think everyone will be able to relate to the character and the film.

So what is it about your character that was the deciding factor in your agreeing to do this film?

I think first and foremost, it has a very well-written character, and an equally intriguing storyline. I liked the fact that he is a musician battling internal conflict; and the graph of the character is very well etched out, which I could identify with. Ultimately, it was an emotionally satisfying role.

You also make your singing debut in Rock On. How did that happen?

Abhishek was very sure he wanted to make a real band with this film and wanted the actors to sing their own songs to make it look like we are actually performing in a rock band. He knew that I've been singing and playing the guitar for eight years and so all I had to do was hone my skills. Thankfully, Shankar Mahadevan [popular music composer and singer] helped me with my range of voice and taught me breathing techniques while singing. All the credit goes to [music directors] Shankar-Ehsan-Loy for the way my songs have turned out in the film.

Would you say that you are ready to form your own real-life rock band?

I think so as my entire take on rock music has been tweaked after this film. When I went into the studio to record the film's songs, I jammed live to get the concert feel right. All of this opened that long-shut door within me. Now feels like the right time to pursue my dreams as a musician. I won't rule out any plans of forming my own band.

As a director yourself, how involved were you in making Rock On? And what was it like being directed?

Actually not being the director of the film was a pleasant change as I didn't have any responsibility and could focus on my acting, which is definitely less taxing. I believe an actor and director should always discuss and have open debate that would make them understand each other's point of view. It gives a lot of clarity and helps the process of filmmaking. Just as I share such a rapport with my actors as a director, I had a similar rapport as an actor with my director.

People say Rock On is reminiscent of Dil Chahta Hai. Do you believe the film will be as successful as Dil Chahta Hai, considering a film on the relatively less popular genre that is rock may have its limitations in India?

I can't compare both these films, but I somehow had the same feeling when I wrote Dil Chahta Hai and now I share a similar feeling of inner joy and elation while doing Rock On. There is nothing emotionally similar between the two but somehow they speak the same language. I am confident Rock On should be a satisfying experience for the audience as though the film is about rock music, it has layers that can be connected by people from different walks of life.

What are your future projects as an actor and filmmaker?

As an actor I am doing my sister Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance. I will be directing Voice From The Sky with Akshaye Khanna, which centres around a child. After that I begin work on Don 2, the sequel to Shah Rukh Khan's Don. The film will be shot across the world and requires a lot of planning.

Will you be expanding your production house by giving opportunities to young filmmakers to direct films for your banner?

We already started the process with Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd that was directed by Reema Kagti and now Abhishek is directing Rock On. We will start another film with Reema and definitely we will encourage new filmmakers whenever we are approached with feasible projects.

How much of an influence have your parents had on your career?

My dad has been a tremendous influence on me, as I grew up on his films. I used to watch the films scripted by my mother closely and try to understand the nuances of the characters of her movies just the way I used to observe films scripted by dad. My parents were very supportive of my thoughts. Eventually, I had a mind of my own and wanted to do films that I believed in.

What is your equation with your stepmother, actress Shabana Azmi? What did she have to say about your acting debut?

I share a fantastic relationship with Shabana and she is one of the few people whose judgment I trust. I was elated when Shabana liked my performance in Rock On as it reassures me as an actor and made me feel that I took the right decision by plunging into acting.



Farhan Akhtar: Director, actor



Born to Bollywood writer parents, it was inevitable that Farhan Akhtar would follow in the family business. The son of Bollywood writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar and scriptwriter Honey Irani, 34-year-old Akhtar grew up around such mega Bollywood personalities as Yash Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan.

In 1999, he founded production company Excel Entertainment with partner Ritesh Sadhwani, and broke through with 2001's massive hit, Dil Chahta Hai, which was created for a new market – the urban, multiplex crowd – and has since directed several films, including Hrithik Roshan's semi-successful Lakshya and Shah Rukh Khan's hit Don, besides producing the sleeper hit Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.

Consequently, interest in his movies is huge. Earlier this year, Excel signed a Rs2.3 billion (Dh193m) deal with Indian conglomerate Reliance ADAG to produce six films.

Akhtar is married to hair salon entreprenur Adhuna Akhtar (née Bhabhani), and they have two children.

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