Conquering Stage After Stage

Multi-tasker Farhan Akhtar who gave his first-ever performance in Kerala opens up about his life, movies and music

He has made it a point to break the tried and tested Bollywood equations with every project of his, may it be his directorial ventures or the ones he has acted in. Yes, Farhan Akhtar has been there and done it and has become hugely successful in associating with projects that have been elevated to the status of cult films later on.

Akhtar was in Kozhikode last week to give his first-ever performance in Kerala. With an unconventional voice and personality that defies his age, he was at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut campus for their annual cultural fest ‘Ragam 2014’ and gave one hell of a performance that is bound to be remembered for years by those who were present on the campus premises that day. Farhan was with his band ‘Farhan Live’ and had been on the ‘Zinda Ho Tum’ tour across the country.

When asked how he finds Kozhikode, Farhan says, “Well, I have just got here and did not exactly get the chance to see the city. But drove near the beach and a little bit around the city and that was it.” About his latest movie ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effect,’ Farhan spoke with all the enthusiasm he had geared up before his performance. “It feels good to see the response ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ has received. And I feel very happy for all those who have worked in the film.”

Much like the roles he has taken up in his movies, Farhan plays an equally large role in his real life as well, in fact he plays multiple roles every day, that of a director, an actor, a producer, a musician and a family man. Speaking about the myriad roles he plays in his life, he says, “I like playing them all actually. Each role has its own importance. I am trying to focus on independent music. Film works come and go in between, and I try to take on the role to become a better director then.”

Farhan Akhtar is not just a singer, he is a full-on performer on stage. He is one of those rare performers with that amazing onstage persona that can hold the stage on its own. The husky voice, teamed with the connect he forms with the audience, makes him one of the best onstage performers in the country today. Talking about his role as a musician and a performer, Farhan says, “‘Rock On’ reignited what I loved doing. I love the interaction that happens when I am on stage. There is an exchange of energy between the performer and the audience when we perform on stage and if there is any dishonesty the audience senses it.”

When asked if he was living his dream after becoming a full-on rock star, he says “Well, I don’t know about living the dream part, but it is very liberating for sure.”

For his current tour ‘Zinda Ho Tum,’ Farhan and his band will be performing songs from the movies he has directed and has acted in. Some of his hit numbers like the songs from ‘Rock On’ and the song ‘Zinda’ from ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ are the most awaited numbers by his fans. “I will be focusing on performing my own compositions only from my next concert,” he says.

Akhtar is also the man behind the initiative ‘MARD’ (Men Against Rape and Discrimination). “MARD is an ongoing commitment, and there are quite a lot of activities happening on that front. We have collaborated with Magic Bus and will be travelling to all major places to spread awareness on gender equality,” he says.

Farhan Akhtar has on his what’s next list, a new project with his sister Zoya Akhtar, which is ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ and another project with Rahul Dholakia titled ‘Raees,’ in which he will be seen sharing the screen with Shahrukh Khan. He will also be taking up four new projects as producer, of which two will be with new directors.

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