In a revealing interview, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has shared profound insights about filming one of the most emotionally charged scenes in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara alongside veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. The pivotal father-son confrontation scene, though brief in screen time, left a lasting impact on both the audience and Akhtar himself.
The Unrehearsed Emotional Moment
Farhan Akhtar recently recalled the filming experience during an interview with Galatta Plus, describing how the scene flowed naturally without any prior rehearsal. The first couple of takes felt particularly authentic because Naseeruddin Shah was speaking to him for the first time, creating genuine reactions.
"I didn't have that many lines. The lines belonged to Naseer Sahab and he is incredible. So I had to just sit and listen to him. It was easy to react, it was easy to respond," Farhan explained. The real challenge emerged during multiple takes, where maintaining the scene's raw authenticity became increasingly difficult as his "actor bone" would inevitably kick in.
Childhood Memories Resurface
The emotional weight of the scene unexpectedly transported Farhan back to his own childhood and the unresolved questions he had about his parents' separation. The experience tapped directly into his personal history with father Javed Akhtar, bringing forth genuine emotions that required no acting.
"In some way, it transported me back to my childhood, to the questions that I had with my father when I was younger, not knowing what had happened and why my parents were not together," Farhan reflected. He remembered feeling genuinely emotional during the shoot, without having to pretend or force the feelings.
Responding to Professional Criticism
The conversation also touched upon Farhan's reaction to Naseeruddin Shah's past criticism of his performance in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, where Shah had called his acting "completely fake." While acknowledging that the comment didn't feel good, Farhan stated he had to take it in his stride as merely one person's opinion.
Farhan explained why he never approached Naseeruddin for advice following the criticism, emphasizing that constructive feedback must come from a place of respect and empathy. Having spent 25 years in the film industry himself, Farhan noted that when he has feedback for colleagues, he prefers to communicate directly and privately rather than making public statements.
The actor-filmmaker concluded that since the criticism didn't appear to come from a place of respect, he saw no reason to reach out to someone who seemingly didn't value his work or him as an artist.
