By: NUPUR MAHAJAN
Source: TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Date: JULY 21, 2002
Farhan Akhtar Film Director on Lakshya, his new movie:
Why did it take you so long to announce the next movie after Dil Chahta Hai?
DCH was our first movie _ it was almost like nurturing a baby and, yes, it was difficult to let go. Once the hangover was over, I realised that I didn't have a script. I was confused and spoke to dad (Javed Akhtar). He offered that I could use a story in mind that he had never written. I liked it immediately and he then started writing it as a full-fledged script.
What's Lakshya all about?
It's a love story set against the backdrop of war. The story is set in India against the Kargil intrusion. Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta play the leads. As there's a lot of action, we signed on Vik Armstrong (who's done the action in all the James Bond films) as second unit director. The movie will be ready for release in the first quarter of 2004.
Why did you choose Hrithik, considering he's not had a hit for so long?
I don't follow trends. For me, it's the impersonation of the character that's important. And Hrithik befitted the character that we had in mind for Lakshya — it's his movie. Anyway, I think he's a good actor and everyone has an up and down phase.
How did it feel to sign Bachchan?
I've always met him as Javed Akhtar's son. When we met to sign the agreement, it was a bit awkward. He was his professional self and just said, "Hmmm." But when I was handing over the cheque, I did it Kaun Banega Crore (KBC) style, holding it the way he does, saying, "Kaun Banega Crorepati." That broke the ice!
Does audience expectation weigh you down?
No. I think about it, but it's not the driving force. What pushes me ahead is giving the audience a sensible movie experience. I don't want to remembered as someone who made movies that were a fad at the time, but to educate the audiences into what to see. It is that slice of immortality that drives me.
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