Farhan Akhtar On Working In Lucknow Central

Farhan Akhtar has never done a character as  rustic as the one in  his new film Lucknow Central.

“I have done a  non-urban character in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. But this is on  another level . Kishan, the  character I   play in Lucknow Central, is unspoilt and uncorrupted .Even though he’s in jail he spreads  sunshine  everywhere he goes.When the director Ranjit Tiwari came  with the project what really appealed to me was the character’s zest for life and his positivity.And that  zest and  positivity are contagious. Kishan motivates his friends who come into his life. In that sense this is  a film that inspires and motivates the audience. Given the world that we  live in, we need more  film that are positive in  outlook,”says Farhan who also got to play a  musician in the film.

“My character is in jail. But he has dreams that I once had. He wants to sing and he wants to form a  band. It was easy for me  to identify  with this character.”

Farhan plays a fan of singer-actor-politician Manoj Tiwary  in Lucknow Central. “I am an aspiring singer from UttarPradesh with a big partiality towards Manoj Tiwari. When he heard  he was part of our plot he was  very sweet about it. He even agreed to do a small cameo in  the  film.”

Farhan  feels the pressure of having to connect repeatedly with the media over the film. “Initially  it is somewhat interesting and even likeable . But then you find yourself saying the same  things over and over again. Then it gets exhausting. However if the marketing team in all its wisdom has  decided that we must promote the film extensively I’d prefer to go by their wisdom rather than  impose my own opinion on  how effectively marketing and promotion are.”

Farhan has just said yes to two new directors. “I am doing a  film with Nishikant Kamat, who incidentally was my co-star in Daddy.We even had a scene to perform  together. I’ve also said yes to a   film directed by Mohit Suri. But it’s too early to talk about these.Nishikant’s film  is the first action-comedy  film that I’ve done.  I mean I’ve done action and I’ve done comedy. But never the two together. Unless the action that I’ve done has turned into comedy, ha ha.”