Farhan: Every actor has the right to demand the money they think they are worth

Farhan Akhtar has always been outspoken about the various issues in and outside Bollywood. This time too, the actor didn’t disappoint. Ahead of the release of his film Wazir, Farhan spoke to SpotboyE about it all – from working with Amitabh Bachchan to supporting actresses in their demand for equal pay. Excerpts:

How did Wazir happen?

I had met Vidhu (Vinod Chopra) while I was working on Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. He said, “Yaar, tere saath main picture banane wala hoon.” I said, “Wonderful” but then, you hear these things from many people. Then one day, I got a call from him saying, “I have a script for you. I had told you about this many years ago. It was called The Fifth Move then.” I remember he had told me about it during my Lakshya days – that’s almost 10 years ago.

Then Vidhu sent Bejoy, who has directed the film, to me for narration. It was an amazing script, great characters, written really well. So I just called Vidhu back and told him that I’m on board.

Were you apprehensive that Bejoy is directing it? Wouldn’t you have wanted a bigger director on board?

I think films end up being big or small. People who are talented should be respected and trusted. I have really liked Bejoy’s films – I enjoyed Shaitan. He has got a great grip on how he wants to tell a story. So Wazir is a great combination of a good storyteller that is Bejoy and great writing by Abhijat Joshi and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. So at no point did I feel that Bejoy is not the right person to direct the film.

How was it working with Mr. Bachchan?

Awesome. Here’s a man you’ve grown up watching, whom you’ve admired all your life, whose performances have left an indelible mark on you. I have directed him in the past on Lakshya, which was a very exciting time for me. But it’s a different experience when you’re sharing screen space with someone. It was surreal at first – when we met and did our reading. Then slowly, you ease into it. It was really nice to be that up-close and personal in a working relationship with him.

You’re a director yourself. So how difficult is it to be directed by someone else?

That doesn’t matter. You should know what you’re supposed to be doing and just focus on that. I’ve worked with actors who have more experience than I have. I have worked with Aamir (Khan), Saif (Ali Khan), Akshaye (Khanna), Dimple (Kapadia), Preity (Zinta) on my first film. I worked with Mr. Bachchan and Hrithik on my second film. These people had far more experience than I had. The fact is they trusted me to do my job as director. Similarly, I have to trust people I work with.    

You’ve sung in Wazir. Is it almost a given now that you’ll sing in every film?

This was completely Vidhu’s brainchild. He felt that a song that captured the essence of our characters’ friendship is missing. So he wanted to create that one song. He knows that both, Mr. Bachchan and I sing. So he thought we both should sing a song together. I already directed Mr. Bachchan, I acted with him and now, I got a chance to sing with him. So it was exciting.

You recently said that democracy was being stifled when Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh khan’s comments on intolerance received severe backlash.

I don't think democracy is being stifled...

Did you feel that their voices were not being heard?

No, everyone’s voice is being heard. It’s just that the reaction to certain people’s voices is different from the reaction to others’ statements. I won’t say that it is a stifled democracy because everyone has the right and freedom to speak up. I think the debate that follows, needs to happen in a more dignified manner – instead of the discourse being brought down to a street-level brawl.

How important is money to you when you sign a film?

You feel that the effort that you’re going to put into the film, there has to be some worth to it. But there is no fixed notion on this. It just depends on how excited you get about wanting to do it. At the end of the day, if you know that you don’t want the film or the story to pass you by, you will compromise on the money.

I’m asking you this because the talking point in the industry is the pay divide. Heroines have come out saying that they should be paid on par with actors. What’s your take?

I definitely feel that people should be paid the equal amount for equal work. Even some actors should be paid equal amount as the other actors – it’s not as if all actors get paid the same. There’s a discrepancy within the actor community itself. I support it in every single way. Like I said, there is self-worth attached to it. You have the power and the choice to say no to something, if you think you’re being disrespected by what is being offered to you. I would take a pay cut to do a certain role that I really want to do, if the budget didn’t allow me the paycheque that I wanted in my fantasy. But that’s me – other people may feel differently. I feel everyone has the right to demand, expect whatever they think they are worth.

What’s next after Wazir?

I have a few projects as a producer. There’s Baar Baar Dekho followed by Raees. Then there’s Rock On 2, which I am currently shooting for.

It’s being heard that you’re working on Don 3...

Even I am hearing a lot about Don 3. But frankly, I have no plans.

There’s also buzz of Dil Chahta Hai sequel being planned with female leads. Names of Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra, Shraddha Kapoor are being thrown around...

I think this has come from Alia only. Somebody told me that she said in an interview that Farhan should do Dil Chahta Hai sequel with girls. I think it’s an interesting idea. But I can’t say that I am working on it because my attention right now is only on Wazir and Rock On 2.

Thumbnail Image Source: bhoplaijatka, troubless & Manav Manglani