Source: Meenakshi Sinha
After creating a cult following with 'Dil Chahta Hai', Farhan Akhtar is ready with his next film - 'Lakshya'. It is a love story set against the backdrop of the war and marks the journey of a young man who discovers himself on the way. A story of character, strength, belief and values is how Farhan describes his new film in a chat with HTT
After the success of 'Dil Chahta Hai' your next film 'Lakshya' is ready for release. How was the experience as in treatment of the film as well as the results?
I'm very excited about the way the film has shaped up. I feel we have achieved what we had set out to do. From script to screen, I'm happy that 'Lakshya' has remained true to its source.
Since the film is set against the backdrop of 'Operation Vijay', how much cinematic liberty have you taken while dealing with the subject?
'Operation Vijay' is all facts. The backdrop is real and as far as possible we have tried to portray what really happened. But Hrithik's story is pure fiction. To give you an analogy, it's like the story of the two star-crossed lovers in 'Titanic'.
There's a distinct style associated with your cinema. It's young, upbeat and energetic. Have you incorporated any of those elements in 'Lakshya'?
It's very difficult to talk about one's own style. I have followed whatever came naturally to me and done what I felt was right.
What has been Hrithik's contribution to the film as an actor?
Hrithik was extremely supportive. He's a sincere and hard working actor. Although we have known each other since childhood, it's only now that I see him on a more personal note. I'm very happy that I also found a good friend while making 'Lakshya'.
How has Hrithik's character shaped up in the film?
He plays Karan in 'Lakshya'. He starts out as fun loving, carefree but somewhat confused young man. At a time when he's trying to find his calling in life, an incident occurs that changes Karan and makes him work towards achieving his goal - the 'Lakshya'. Since the film is set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War, that becomes an intrinsic part of Hrithik's character as well as the story, which sees him through his goal. A collective goal later becomes a personal goal. Preity is his love interest in the film, whilst Amitji plays the role of a Colonel who has a strong influence on Hrithik's life. The film is patriotic, but not jingoistic. All in all 'Lakshya' is about Hrithik's personal goal - his Lakshya.
What kind of research has gone into the film considering the fact that war plays an important role in the story?
Making a film about war and the Army meant painstaking research and several recces into Kargil and Ladakh. It also meant enlisting the help of army officers to ensure accuracy. Let me add here that the men in uniform were extremely co-operative and helped us at each and every stage. I wanted to ensure complete accuracy in whatever details we showed in the film, be it the correct way of hoisting the National Flag, the medals, the uniforms and regiments involved in the theatre of battle. We have taken a lot of precaution and turned to the Indian Army for help whenever in doubt.
Now that the film is complete and ready for release, how do you look back at the experience of shooting under hostile conditions in Leh and Ladakh?
While it may all seem perfect in the finished product, shooting the film was certainly no mean task. The hilly terrain we were in is not designed to provide ideal conditions. I must say that it was like everybody reaching a personal milestone at the end of the shoot. Spending 18 months on pre-production for 'Lakshya' required us to account for all our needs like heaters, mobile toilets, powerful walkie-talkies, etc. There was absolutely no cellular connection there. So our stars did take a break from their mobiles for about five months in a place where even an Amitabh Bachchan could walk through the market unmolested. But I feel all the support I had from the crew, the cast and especially the Indian Army, made the whole gruelling experience worthwhile.
What are you planning to do after 'Lakshya'?
'Lakshya' is slated for a mid-June release. After that my production house Excel in collaboration with friend Ritesh will begin shooting Zoya's film, 'Luck By Chance' in October this year. It is a fun film based that takes an irreverent look at Bollywood. And then I will start my third film, which is going to be a period film, set in the early 1900s. That is all I can disclose at this stage.