Farhan Akhtar never set out to become an actor. Two decades after making his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai, Akhtar has revealed that acting entered his career almost by accident, when Rock On!! came along in 2008. What began as an opportunity eventually became another creative avenue for the filmmaker, who says he subsequently chose roles that pushed him outside his comfort zone.
“I never thought about acting till Rock On!! came along. Rock On!! felt right to me in terms of the script and Abhishek Kapoor was convinced about my casting. I absolutely loved the experience, which is why I thought let me challenge myself. I’ve fortunately got a lot of opportunities to do certain roles that have really pushed me in terms of commitment,” Akhtar told The Indian Express.
The decision marked a significant turn in Akhtar’s career. Until Rock On!!, he was known primarily as the writer-director who had made an impact with Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Don: The Chase Begins Again and Don 2. Playing Aditya, the lead singer of a rock band in Rock On!!, however, opened up a new side of his career.
He subsequently appeared in films including Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dil Dhadakne Do and The Sky Is Pink, among others, while continuing to produce films through Excel Entertainment.
Interestingly, Akhtar says one of his most recognisable acting roles, Imran in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, also brought him back into territory that felt familiar. Asked whether he carried anything from Dil Chahta Hai into the film, he told The Indian Express, “I didn’t but it did feel like I’m revisiting that world. On some level, my character was like that of Sameer. It was just a lot of fun to do that role. Such films, when they are written well, and the team comes together, are the nicest filmmaking experience you can have.”
