Far Out: Interview with Farhan Akhtar: Writer, Director, Actor and now... Singer! The multi-hyphenate Crooner

Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar has appeared in many guises, but his latest avatar is that of a Hindi-singing rock star. P.Ramakrishnan writes.


The transformation came in the film Rock On! Although he had been known mainly for his behind-the-scenes work until the 2008-released movie, the main songs featured in the film became anthems among students – and the 40-plus star was born.

 “When we did Rock On! it needed that rawness and roughness to add that touch of authenticity for the film. It was about a struggling garage band that dreamt big, and it worked in the film.”

Rock On! is not your usual Bollywood film, as it tells the story of a rock band and doesn’t deal in the usual boy-meets-girl musical grooves.

Akhtar’s rasp was one of the most notable elements of the movie, but he’s not just a singer and actor, also wearing the hats of multiple award-winning writer, director, producer, emcee and reality TV judge.

Akhtar is bringing his rocking live show to Hong Kong not long after he picked up trophies galore  for his performance in the biographical drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (“Run Milkha Run”, 2013) earlier this year. The Muslim actor played the role of Punjabi Olympian Milkha Singh and also sang in the film.

The music in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the triumvirate men who have composed for nearly all his films. “When I first had to record a song, I was so conscious of it, we recorded the number in the dark,” he says.

“I turned of all the lights and just sang. I moved around, got into the spirit of the song and let it riff. It was the first time I was looking out facing the microphone – usually I’m on the other side of the studio box, asking the singers for a retake or complimenting them or asking them for a particular emotion or pitch. It was strange to receive those same notes from another director.”

The unusual tactic worked, as that little film with (at the time) no stars went on to box-office gold, record sales and awards to boot.

“Music is a great way to unwind. As a director, you’re trying to find control in chaos. Movie-making isn’t a one-man entity. With music, that’s when I’m truly creating something of my own. As the actor playing the part on screen, I also had that unique opportunity to put in the exact emotion to the voice, knowing what my arc was.”

So out of all the guises he appears under, what does he like to do the most? “Depends on the month, week or day. If movies are creating order in chaos, with acting you’re being the most honest you can at the moment. And with music, I feel liberated. On stage, while you’re singing and the audience reflects back what you put out, there’s nothing like it. And whether you’re a 19-year old who knows all the words and sings along or a 65-year-old who just sways along to something you created, there’s a reason we all want to rock.”

Farhan Akhtar LIVE in Hong Kong
Mar 28, 8pm, Convention and Exhibition Centre, Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, HK$350-HK$2,000, HK Ticketing. 
Inquiries: 9037 8869, 9461 3676



UPDATE: 

Show cancelled. Feature got pulled out of the papers at the last minute. Drrrrama! But it was great fun to chat with the man who made one of my all-time fav Bollywood films; Dil Chahta Hai. Never short for words, Akhtar's an interviewer's delight. 

Had a much longer chat with the director for Post magazine when Don II was released.