Farhan Akhtar starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the 2016 film Wazir. Like many actors, he admitted to feeling nervous while performing scenes with the legendary star. In a chat on Sit with Hitlist, Farhan opened up about how actors can sense when something is not right and recalled being cautious during his first scenes with Bachchan.
Farhan Akhtar on working with Amitabh Bachchan
Farhan believes that experienced actors can tell when their performance is off. “I remember I had to get over some degree of nerves initially when I started doing Wazir because of working with Amitabh Bachchan,” he said.
“It weighed heavily on me. As much as you want just to go in and be like, we are co-actors, it is all great. But when I went in for that first scene with him, I was cautious.”
Asked why, Farhan explained, “The thing is, he is an incredible actor. I kept thinking he is watching me, and what would he think? When we shot the scene at his chess place, after my daughter died in the film, I was anxious. Bejoy recognised this and made it easier by doing all of Mr Bachchan`s parts off camera first. That helped me ease out. I even felt slightly out of body, watching my performance from a third-person perspective.”
Farhan on visiting Big B’s sets
Recalling other Bachchan sets he has visited, Farhan said, “I have been to the sets of Dostana, then Shaan, and my dad did not take us much. I went to the set of Meri Jung next.”
For those unversed, Farhan had collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan in 2004 for Lakshya. He directed the film, while the megastar essayed role of Colonel Sunil Damle.
About Wazir
The 2016 film also starred Aditi Rao Hydari in pivotal role. The revenge saga revolved around ATS officer Danish Ali (Farhan Akhtar), his wife Ruhaana (Aditi Rao Hydari) and their only child Noorie. One day, when Danish is out with his family, he spots a dreaded terrorist Rameez (Naseer Husain). What follows is a series of chase sequences, which results in the death of Noorie. Completely shattered by the death of his child, a mentally disturbed Danish Ali ends up `eliminating` Rameez, which results in him being suspended from his service. While dealing with grief, he meets Panditji aka Omkar Nath Dhar (Amitabh Bachchan).