Posted:
Old interview, but worth repeating!
Subject: Farah Khan comes clean About MHN and HNY
Where is Farah Khan these days? What's with the low profile?
Arrey, there's nothing like that. I had the most high-profile
marriage just six months ago. Moreover, I'm writing a script and at
this stage, there's hardly anything to talk to the media about. Only
when a film is complete do I like talking about it.
Besides, I've been up to other things. I'm doing the interiors of my
new house, I've completed the choreography for Paheli and a full-
fledged Chinese film. Unlike others, I don't call the media to
broadcast my achievements. I'm not media-savvy, you see.
Everyone is pretty curious about your next film Happy New Year. Tell
us, what's the story all about?
It is a very, very nice idea. And an original one, so I'm taking a
little more time to put the framework to my script. By the way, it
hasn't been copied from any Hollywood film.
But why are you being so hush–hush about it?
I'm a bit wary of sharing information about it because I haven't
registered the script yet. When the promos of Main Hoon Na were on
air, I heard people accusing me of lifting their story idea. I
wondered, goddamit, where is the story in Main Hoon Na? (laughs)
Honestly, if I could find a story in the film, I would happily give
the credit to anyone who wants credit for it.
There are rumours that you've roped in Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt
and Shah Rukh Khan for your film. That's a fantastic star cast.
No yaar, I have finalised only Shah Rukh... or should I say he has
finalised me? Most of the people I've talked to have given their
verbal consent for the film though nothing's finalised. Off the
record, they have said they would want to be part of my film but no
one has been signed nor have I narrated the script to anyone besides
Shah Rukh.
Reports say your film has been delayed and it will go on the floors
as late as January 2006. Is that frustrating?
No, I'm not flustered at all. Because it's giving me more time to
polish my script. We were all very clear that the first film to go on
the floor will be Karan's Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna, followed by mine.
(I will be working in Karan's film as a choreographer.) So there's a
domino effect happening. If Karan's film gets delayed, the subsequent
ones get delayed too.
But it's okay because we are all friends. Now that Yash uncle (Yash
Johar), whom we were very attached to, is no more, I think it's our
moral duty to give Karan all possible support.
Shah Rukh is the pivotal element in your films. Do you write scripts
with him in mind?
Well, I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't. Shah Rukh is the biggest
star and I share a great rapport with him so it's only natural that I
write scripts with him in mind.
Also, Shah bhai is one of the easiest people to work with. He may not
be a great producer for his production house because he always
overspends, but he is a dream producer for a director. If you need
something that would cost a hundred bucks, Shah Rukh would spend a
thousand rupees for it.
As an actor too, he is just brilliant. Sometimes I go to him and say
Shah bhai, I have so many problems in the script and you need to
rectify them. You won't believe this: he will do it diligently while
I'm away, doing my choreography bit or shooting.
He takes care of everything. Why would I not want to work with him?
In fact, I can't imagine a script without him. I know what excites
him in a script and unlike other directors, I don't want to de-
glamorise or 'de-star' him.
I want to take advantage of the mystique surrounding him, I want to
capture those moments that have made him a superhero. I like to see
him larger than life and that's why kids love him, teenaged girls go
crazy about him and elder women adore him and now, I hear, even
teenaged guys go crazy about him (chuckles).
Did you like Shah Rukh in Swades?
See, I liked him a lot in Swades but I would never make a film that
de-glamorises him. I want to see the Shah Rukh Khan of Main Hoon Na.
Are you averse to art films, parallel cinema and similar genres?
No, I'm not averse to art films. On the contrary, I like watching
them. But I would never make an art film. I want my films to be seen
and heard, not get lost in obscure festivals abroad. I have seen
films like Manthan and Ankur but can't say they are my favourites.
Give me Manmohan Desai or Nasir Hussain any day.
You haven't been as prolific as a choreographer after you picked up
the megaphone. Has that been a conscious decision?
Kahan yaar, I wish I could take a break from choreography but I just
don't seem to be able to.
Usually, in our industry, when a technician becomes a director, he or
she is not given a chance in the previous profession but sadly, it's
been the opposite with me.
After completing Main Hoon Na, I did Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Kaal,
Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and at the moment I'm doing my husband
Shirish's first directorial venture Janeman as a choreographer.
I wish I could go slow. But my directors have amazing faith in me. I
am irritatingly diligent while directing a song and my directors like
that. They tell me they feel safe when I do a song, so I guess I will
have to continue as a choreographer.
Your statement on Koffee With Karan in which you called Sanjay Leela
Bhansali India's most overrated director must have got you a lot of
feedback, right?
(smiles) Yeah, but I called up Sanjay and told him what I had said on
the show. He was cool. And now, after watching Black, I think I
should take back my words.
If you remember, the critics panned Main Hoon Na...
So? What do they know of films? This movie was never meant for
critics but many critics still loved it and I am grateful to them.
Perhaps one day I will make a tedious film that will satisfy all of
them.
Lastly, how has marriage changed Farah Khan's life?
I think I've stopped running as madly as I did earlier. Marriage has
taught me that there is a life beyond films and I enjoy that thought.
Shirish is the most wonderful person and lets me be myself. My
temper, which was so infamous, has been smothered and I am much
quieter now. At times my dancers think I'm not well when I don't
shout at them as I once used to. Marriage has calmed me.
Farah Khan picks her favourite madcap films
Half Ticket
Half Ticket is my absolute favourite. Sajid (my brother) and I must
have watched it 300 million times. The story is hilarious—a 40-year-
old Kishore Kumar wears shorts and pretends to be a retarded child.
Then he wears that ghaghra-choli and sings that amazing song with
Pran saab (Aake seedhi lagi). To top it all, he wears a sleeveless
ruffled nightie and walks down the road without a care in the world.
Which other hero would have the courage to do that?
Padosan
It is my favourite Sunil Dutt film. Mother India may be a classic but
for me Dutt saab is synonymous with Padosan. Kishore Kumar and
Mehmood's performances are out of the world too but the important
thing is that people like Keshto Mukherjee and Mukri have roles that
are so memorable in their own right. One thing I've learnt from
Padosan is how to picturise songs in Hindi films.
Clerk
I put this film in the madcap list with a bagful of salt. I know it
wasn't meant to be a madcap film and Manoj Kumarji please forgive me,
but we laughed our hearts out when we saw the film. In fact the
videocassette of this film broke because we played it so often but we
would still watch it by repairing it with a tape. Clerk was our
Sholay. We know every line of dialogue in the film but every time we
watch it we find something new. And we pause at that point and start
laughing.
Golmaal
Golmaal is my top Hrishikesh Mukherjee film. I must have seen it
almost 100 times and every time it plays on TV I'll be the first one
to park myself in front of the TV. My favourite scene is the climax,
in which Utpal Dutt was just amazing. His scene with Keshto Mukherjee
at the police station should go down as one of the best in Hindi
cinema.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
It's a madcap film but in a different sort of way. For me, Kabhi Haan
Kabhi Na is Kundan's (Shah) best work and I like it much more than
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. This film is also memorable for me because I met
Shah Rukh for the first time on its sets
Subject: Farah Khan comes clean About MHN and HNY
Where is Farah Khan these days? What's with the low profile?
Arrey, there's nothing like that. I had the most high-profile
marriage just six months ago. Moreover, I'm writing a script and at
this stage, there's hardly anything to talk to the media about. Only
when a film is complete do I like talking about it.
Besides, I've been up to other things. I'm doing the interiors of my
new house, I've completed the choreography for Paheli and a full-
fledged Chinese film. Unlike others, I don't call the media to
broadcast my achievements. I'm not media-savvy, you see.
Everyone is pretty curious about your next film Happy New Year. Tell
us, what's the story all about?
It is a very, very nice idea. And an original one, so I'm taking a
little more time to put the framework to my script. By the way, it
hasn't been copied from any Hollywood film.
But why are you being so hush–hush about it?
I'm a bit wary of sharing information about it because I haven't
registered the script yet. When the promos of Main Hoon Na were on
air, I heard people accusing me of lifting their story idea. I
wondered, goddamit, where is the story in Main Hoon Na? (laughs)
Honestly, if I could find a story in the film, I would happily give
the credit to anyone who wants credit for it.
There are rumours that you've roped in Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt
and Shah Rukh Khan for your film. That's a fantastic star cast.
No yaar, I have finalised only Shah Rukh... or should I say he has
finalised me? Most of the people I've talked to have given their
verbal consent for the film though nothing's finalised. Off the
record, they have said they would want to be part of my film but no
one has been signed nor have I narrated the script to anyone besides
Shah Rukh.
Reports say your film has been delayed and it will go on the floors
as late as January 2006. Is that frustrating?
No, I'm not flustered at all. Because it's giving me more time to
polish my script. We were all very clear that the first film to go on
the floor will be Karan's Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna, followed by mine.
(I will be working in Karan's film as a choreographer.) So there's a
domino effect happening. If Karan's film gets delayed, the subsequent
ones get delayed too.
But it's okay because we are all friends. Now that Yash uncle (Yash
Johar), whom we were very attached to, is no more, I think it's our
moral duty to give Karan all possible support.
Shah Rukh is the pivotal element in your films. Do you write scripts
with him in mind?
Well, I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't. Shah Rukh is the biggest
star and I share a great rapport with him so it's only natural that I
write scripts with him in mind.
Also, Shah bhai is one of the easiest people to work with. He may not
be a great producer for his production house because he always
overspends, but he is a dream producer for a director. If you need
something that would cost a hundred bucks, Shah Rukh would spend a
thousand rupees for it.
As an actor too, he is just brilliant. Sometimes I go to him and say
Shah bhai, I have so many problems in the script and you need to
rectify them. You won't believe this: he will do it diligently while
I'm away, doing my choreography bit or shooting.
He takes care of everything. Why would I not want to work with him?
In fact, I can't imagine a script without him. I know what excites
him in a script and unlike other directors, I don't want to de-
glamorise or 'de-star' him.
I want to take advantage of the mystique surrounding him, I want to
capture those moments that have made him a superhero. I like to see
him larger than life and that's why kids love him, teenaged girls go
crazy about him and elder women adore him and now, I hear, even
teenaged guys go crazy about him (chuckles).
Did you like Shah Rukh in Swades?
See, I liked him a lot in Swades but I would never make a film that
de-glamorises him. I want to see the Shah Rukh Khan of Main Hoon Na.
Are you averse to art films, parallel cinema and similar genres?
No, I'm not averse to art films. On the contrary, I like watching
them. But I would never make an art film. I want my films to be seen
and heard, not get lost in obscure festivals abroad. I have seen
films like Manthan and Ankur but can't say they are my favourites.
Give me Manmohan Desai or Nasir Hussain any day.
You haven't been as prolific as a choreographer after you picked up
the megaphone. Has that been a conscious decision?
Kahan yaar, I wish I could take a break from choreography but I just
don't seem to be able to.
Usually, in our industry, when a technician becomes a director, he or
she is not given a chance in the previous profession but sadly, it's
been the opposite with me.
After completing Main Hoon Na, I did Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Kaal,
Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and at the moment I'm doing my husband
Shirish's first directorial venture Janeman as a choreographer.
I wish I could go slow. But my directors have amazing faith in me. I
am irritatingly diligent while directing a song and my directors like
that. They tell me they feel safe when I do a song, so I guess I will
have to continue as a choreographer.
Your statement on Koffee With Karan in which you called Sanjay Leela
Bhansali India's most overrated director must have got you a lot of
feedback, right?
(smiles) Yeah, but I called up Sanjay and told him what I had said on
the show. He was cool. And now, after watching Black, I think I
should take back my words.
If you remember, the critics panned Main Hoon Na...
So? What do they know of films? This movie was never meant for
critics but many critics still loved it and I am grateful to them.
Perhaps one day I will make a tedious film that will satisfy all of
them.
Lastly, how has marriage changed Farah Khan's life?
I think I've stopped running as madly as I did earlier. Marriage has
taught me that there is a life beyond films and I enjoy that thought.
Shirish is the most wonderful person and lets me be myself. My
temper, which was so infamous, has been smothered and I am much
quieter now. At times my dancers think I'm not well when I don't
shout at them as I once used to. Marriage has calmed me.
Farah Khan picks her favourite madcap films
Half Ticket
Half Ticket is my absolute favourite. Sajid (my brother) and I must
have watched it 300 million times. The story is hilarious—a 40-year-
old Kishore Kumar wears shorts and pretends to be a retarded child.
Then he wears that ghaghra-choli and sings that amazing song with
Pran saab (Aake seedhi lagi). To top it all, he wears a sleeveless
ruffled nightie and walks down the road without a care in the world.
Which other hero would have the courage to do that?
Padosan
It is my favourite Sunil Dutt film. Mother India may be a classic but
for me Dutt saab is synonymous with Padosan. Kishore Kumar and
Mehmood's performances are out of the world too but the important
thing is that people like Keshto Mukherjee and Mukri have roles that
are so memorable in their own right. One thing I've learnt from
Padosan is how to picturise songs in Hindi films.
Clerk
I put this film in the madcap list with a bagful of salt. I know it
wasn't meant to be a madcap film and Manoj Kumarji please forgive me,
but we laughed our hearts out when we saw the film. In fact the
videocassette of this film broke because we played it so often but we
would still watch it by repairing it with a tape. Clerk was our
Sholay. We know every line of dialogue in the film but every time we
watch it we find something new. And we pause at that point and start
laughing.
Golmaal
Golmaal is my top Hrishikesh Mukherjee film. I must have seen it
almost 100 times and every time it plays on TV I'll be the first one
to park myself in front of the TV. My favourite scene is the climax,
in which Utpal Dutt was just amazing. His scene with Keshto Mukherjee
at the police station should go down as one of the best in Hindi
cinema.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
It's a madcap film but in a different sort of way. For me, Kabhi Haan
Kabhi Na is Kundan's (Shah) best work and I like it much more than
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. This film is also memorable for me because I met
Shah Rukh for the first time on its sets
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