Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar looks back at his directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai. He shares advice for his 25-year-old self, urging him to enjoy the filmmaking journey more. Akhtar also discusses turning 50 and his perspective on constructive criticism, referencing comments made by Naseeruddin Shah. He emphasizes the importance of respect in professional interactions.
Farhan Akhtar recently walked down memory lane as he reminisced the time he made his big directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai. He also shared a heartfelt advice to his 25-year-old self as a director.
Looking back at his debut
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Farhan said, “They took a chance on a 25-year-old with a script and no idea of how to produce a film. It gave me this life. I would tell myself to enjoy the journey a little more.”
The film starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta and Sonali Kulkarni in lead roles. Dimple Kapadia, on the other hand, played a supporting role. The film has achieved a cult status over the years and it still remains one of the most loved films in Bollywood.
On turning 50
He further spoke about turning 50. He added, “I feel like I should start behaving like I’m 50, although I don’t know what that is. I’m just continuing down the path.”
Responding to Naseeruddin Shah’s comments
Earlier, in another interview with Galatta Plus, Akhtar reacted to Naseeruddin Shah’s criticism. He said, “I have been doing films for 25 years. There are certain actors, directors, writers who I have known and they have debuted maybe 10 years after me. If there is something in their work that I feel, from my observation, that this could be better or that I have this piece of advice to give them… genuinely I would pick up the phone and call them. Or sit down and have a conversation with a person I care about in a sensitive way because you are going into somebody’s creative process and giving them constructive feedback from your point of view.”Farhan added that he did not feel Naseeruddin’s comments came from such a place. “It has to be done with a certain degree of love and a certain degree of respect for the other person. I felt that it didn’t come from that place. I just felt it was just like a statement thrown out publicly. I felt that then this person doesn’t respect you… so why should I reach out to a person who doesn’t respect me?”“He knows my dad, Shabana, my mom and me… we worked together in ZNMD, so it would have been the easiest thing for him to say that I want to speak to you, why don’t you come over!” Farhan explained.
