Director Farhan's acting career looks up

By Subhash K. Jha Oct 14, 2007, 14:57 GMT

Mumbai, Oct 14 (IANS) It looks like Farhan Akhtar is taking his role as an actor very seriously. After playing the lead in 'The Fakir Of Venice', he will also be seen in his sister's directorial debut 'Luck By Chance' opposite Tabu.

And now comes Farhan's third acting assignment.

'It's to be directed by Abhishek (Gattu) Kapoor who directed 'Aryan' recently. It's about four young guys coming of age,' Farhan told IANS.

Not unlike Farhan's own directorial debut 'Dil Chahta Hai'.

'You can say that,' said Farhan. 'The film is called 'Magic'. When Abhishek came to me with the script, I said I wanted to produce it. It's true, it's in the same genre as 'Dil Chahta Hai'.

'It's about four friends who meet up after 10 years - quite similar to 'Dil Chahta Hai' from the outside but the content is very different. So (sister) Zoya's and Abhishek's films are my two starring roles.'

The director-turned actor who made films like 'Lakshya' and 'Don' says he enjoys acting.

'I had a great time doing Anand Surapur's 'The Fakir Of Venice'. That's currently in post-production. It had its first screening at the Venice Film Festival.

'I'm also writing the dialogues for Zoya's film. Zoya's film is my top priority. So is my associate Reema Kagti (Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd). She's making a detective thriller.

'After these, I'll decide what to direct next. The gamut of films that are being made these days is so wide. Films like 'Honeymoon Travels...', 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' and 'Bheja Fry' are working. Audiences are getting tired of three-hour films. The shorter-film formats suit the younger filmmakers with a limited budget.'

Farhan is challenged by the thought of directing 'Don 2'.

'Most of the characters and cast from the first part will recur. For me the challenge is to create an ongoing series for a hero who is the anti-hero.'

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service