Why are only male bonding films singled out, asks Farhan

Director says he was once a fukra — a useless person.

MUMBAI: Actor-producer Farhan Akhtar, who is known for his ‘bromance’ films and whose next production Fukrey also revolves around boys, wonders why movies on such a subject draws special interest.

In the past, Farhan has been associated in different capacities with films like Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On!! and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara — all of which have highlighted male bonding.

When asked what intrigues him about it, Farhan said, “I have been asked this a lot. I have wondered why no one inquires those who only make love stories or love triangles. Why are only male bonding films singled out?”

Farhan spoke on Friday at the first look launch of Fukrey, which he has co-produced with Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Excel Entertainment.

Sidhwani also said it was not a conscious decision to make films only on male bonding.

“All the stories had different male bonding. Fukrey is different from those as well. The story attracts you. Not that it is only on male bonding,” he said.

The film stars Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadda, Vishakha Singh and southern actor Priya Anand.

When asked why he is not a part of the film himself, Farhan said, “It is important to cast people who are right for the roles. Given the age and personality of the characters, they work well with the actors cast. It is important to stay true to that.”

Farhan admits he has a connect with Fukrey — a term mostly used in north India for useless people. It reminds him of two years of his life when he didn’t have anything substantial to do.

“There were two years when I didn’t do anything and my mom threw me out of the house. This qualifies as my years of being a fukra,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2013.                    

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