Farhan Akhtar, the renowned filmmaker and actor, recently opened up about his experiences directing Amitabh Bachchan during the making of 'Lakshya'. Despite being a first-time director, Farhan felt immense pressure while shooting in an Army cantonment, where everything was time-sensitive. He shared that on the first day of shooting, he was simply attempting to grasp the disciplined environment dictated by military life. He recalled feeling overwhelmed with the need to stay on schedule and avoid any delays that could complicate permission logistics.
Farhan recounted a pivotal moment on set when he approached Amitabh Bachchan, who was taking longer than expected to deliver his performance. In an effort to understand any potential challenges, he suggested having a discussion to improve efficiency. However, he later recognized that his eagerness could have been misinterpreted, possibly upsetting the seasoned actor. Understanding this dynamic, Farhan took the opportunity to apologize to Bachchan, reinforcing that his intentions were rooted in ensuring a smooth shooting process.
Amitabh Bachchan, reflecting on his experience while appearing on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 17', described the first-time atmosphere he encountered while working with Farhan. Despite his usual relaxed demeanor on film sets, he found himself struggling to get his dialogue perfect and faced embarrassing retakes. Bachchan humorously shared how he felt as if Farhan was teaching him the ropes of acting, leading to an emotional phone call with his wife, Jaya Bachchan. After initially considering leaving the shoot due to discomfort, he ultimately found his footing, and the remaining filming proceeded smoothly.
'Lakshya', released in 2004, marked Farhan’s directorial debut and features notable performances from Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta alongside Bachchan. Although the film did not perform well at the box office upon release, it developed a dedicated cult following over the years. In terms of future projects, Farhan is set to appear in '120 Bahadur', playing the role of Major Shaitan Singh, with a cinema release slated for November 21. Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan remains engaged in hosting 'KBC 17' and is also preparing for the upcoming sequel to 'Kalki 2898 AD', which is scheduled to begin filming in December.
The collaboration between Farhan Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan in 'Lakshya' exemplifies the creative synergy that can arise when seasoned talent meets eager newcomers, fostering a rich cinematic legacy in the process.