Wazir is about Amitabh Bachchan and I finding redemption in each other: Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar who turned 41 today, is mighty excited about his next film as an actor Wazir. Prime reason being the opportunity to screen space with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Farhan Akhtar who turned 41 today, is mighty excited about his next film as an actor Wazir. Prime reason being the opportunity to screen space with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
The director-actor-singer-composer plays an ATS officer in the film pitted against wheel-chair bound chess player, played by Big B.
Farhan Akhtar went through intense training to prepare for his role of an ATS officer Danish Ali in upcoming film Wazir where the actor will be seen sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan.
Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani, the film is directed by Bejoy Nambiar and written by Chopra and Abhijat Joshi.
"Vidhu Vinod Chopra approached me for the role. He was very keen that I do the role of Danish Ali in the film. I met Abhijat and I found the story quite compelling.
"My character is a hard-boiled law enforcement officer. He is someone who deals with violence on a daily basis. It is a world I am not familiar with, so it took some amount of research and training," Farhan told PTI in an interview.
Farhan said working with the megastar was a great experience. He directed Bachchan 10 years ago in Lakshya.
"You get to learn so much by just being with him (Bachchan). The film is predominantly about these two characters, so we have a lot of scenes together. We both are bound by a bond in the film and find redemption in each other. The story is well-written and also has action and romance. It is a complete film and we enjoyed telling this story," Farhan said.
Farhan's tinselville journey almost 15 years ago as a director with Dil Chahta Hai, a film that set trends for its youthful, contemporary look. Farhan feels the film helped him build a successful career.
"When I started the film, it was not that I wanted to change something or set any trend. I just wanted to tell this story which was very close to my heart. But yes it was a great start for me," he said.
Farhan, who has also found success as a singer, director and producer, has his hands full this year with the release of Wazir and Dil Dhadakne Do, a multi-starrer directed by sister Zoya and produced by his Excel Entertainment. He is also co-producing Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees.
The actor denied that Dil Dhadakne Do, about a dysfunctional family, had anything to do with his real-life bond with Zoya.
"Not really, our relationship has no bearing on the story though it is about a dysfunctional family. Reema Kagti writes stories that are fresh and interesting."
Dil Dhadakne Do will mark Farhan and Zoya's third collaboration after Luck By Chance and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
Farhan's last directorial venture was Don 2 in 2011.
When asked whether his acting assignments were keeping him away from direction, the actor said, "I will direct but I would not like to commit a date. The reason I am not directing is because my hands are full at the moment. I am enjoying the journey. I would rather follow my inner voice than focus on what is being asked of me." The actor said Rock On 2 is happening but he will not be directing it.
Farhan, who runs 'Men Against Rape and Discrimination' (MARD) campaign to raise awareness about crime against women, recently became the first man to be appointed as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia.
"He for She is a global campaign by UN. I was already involved with MARD when they approached me. It is a great responsibility. It is to involve more men in creating solution for gender equality. It is true that as celebrities we reach out to more people but everyone can contribute in bringing a change."