DearFarhan,

An open letter for birthday boy Farhan Akhtar

It’s wonderful to see you so happy in life. That you’vefound love is a rare blessing and one that only the chosen few are privy to.

So, why then have you stopped doing what you are best at? No, not acting. I am talking about directing a film. When would you return to direction? It’s been fourteen years—yes, 14!!!—since you directed film. Don 2, though underwhelming (and we had a heated argument when I called it an “arrogant” sequel) showed your true calling card.

I still believe you are first and foremost a film director, singing and acting come later. Your directorial debutDilChahtaHai remains a milestone. For years, you have been toying with the idea of re-uniting the three friendsAkash,SameerandSiddharth. GettingAamir Khan,SaifAli Khan andAkshaye Khanna to re-unite should be no problem for you. Even Dimple Kapadiafrom the original cast is game.

So, what’s the problem? Script? That, your father will take care of in a jiffy. There must be some great advantages for a filmmaker to haveJavedAkhtaras his father. Come to think of it, even he is not doing much work lately. I’d love to see the two of you reunite for either a sequel to Dil ChahtaHai or another Donfilm.

Between 2008 (when you turned actor withRock On!!) and 2019 (when you didThe Sky Is Pink) you have faced the camera in 13 films but directed just one.

That’s fairly lopsided,don’tyou think? I agree, you make an affable actor. But I insist your calling in life is neither singing nor acting. When do we see you return to doing what you are born to? Imagine ifKishore Kumarhad chosen to sing just one song in 11 years and instead faced the camera 13 times during that period? Imagine ifVirat Kohlisuddenly developed a passion for football. It may be what he would want to do. But it’s not what we would want him to do.

When you are a celebrity, you have a responsibility towards your fans that supersedes your own desires. This is why an actor with a sweet tooth can never finish off a box ofladdoos. It may do great things to his palate. But itwon’tgo downwellwith his fans.Self-indulgenceis for ordinary people. Not for you,Farhan. Do surprise us by doing what your Lakshya is in life and not what yourDilChahtaHai.

Sincerely,

SubhashKJha

Also Read: Farhan Akhtar on keeping daughters out of spotlight; says, “Attention is something that they need to earn”