EXCLUSIVE! Nikkhil Advani: Farhan Akhtar went door to door narrating ‘Dil Chahta Hai’

Farhan, in a recent interview, has said that he never felt the need to direct a scene while acting in his upcoming movie ‘Lucknow Central’, or any other film in which he's merely an actor. However, stories about his interfering ways often make the rounds. When we asked filmmakers, Nikkhil Advani and debutant Ranjit Tiwari their take on this, Nikkhil said, "Farhan set the parameter of his relationship with Ranjit in their very first meeting. I had gone for the narration with him. After the narration, Farhan turned to me and started discussing the modalities. Then, he paused and turned to Ranjit and said, ‘Man I’m doing your film. It’s fantastic.’ He dissociated me with the film although we have been around together for years and have known each other socially and professionally. And what is more important is that he set the tonality of his equation with this debutant director. After a point, they didn’t involve me with their meetings and discussions. I know how Farhan went door to door, narrating ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ to so many actors. He, for one, knows the anxiety of a first timer, respects a director’s space, and never oversteps."

Ranjit, seconding his mentor, said, "Farhan would often ask questions, but never dictate. And everyone made suggestions. It was left to me to take them or leave them."

Nikkhil even lets in that his team relied on Farhan to guide them with the music of ‘Lucknow Central’. He adds, "Farhan's productions have great scores. Not involving him would be like having Sachin Tendulkar in your team and not letting him open, or sending him nine-down or telling him to not advice other players on how to face the ball."