The Talented Mr.Khanna

He’s a joy to watch, but a pickle to interview. Akshaye Khanna tells it like it is


Are you between films now or starting on something new?

I have just finished Race with Abbas Mastan — it’s got Anil Kapoor, Saif (Ali Khan), myself, couple of heroines and now I’m busy trying to promote Naqaab and then Gandhi My Father. I’m not shooting for a while, then I’m starting on an Anil Kapoor production called Short Cut. So at the moment, I’m in limbo.

Who’s directing Short Cut?

We’ll talk about that at a later stage.

Saif said that Race is a complete masala movie. It’s another film with Abbas Mastan for you soon after Naqaab.

Yeah, we did two films back to back. I have two thrillers from Abbas Mastan but both are very different. Both, to my mind, were very good scripts (laughs). I completely enjoyed doing them.

Naqaab’s trailer gives you the same feeling as Humraaz.

I can completely understand that response because they’re the same actors, same director, one girl, but I must say it is a completely different film, script, setting. So it’s not doing justice to Naqaab to compare it to that film.

It’s called the most shocking film. Are there shades of A Perfect Murder?

No, I can’t even touch on those aspects because like any good thriller, it would be foolish to reveal the plot. If you know what’s going to happen, then there’s no fun!

When we say it’s the most shocking thriller, that’s the USP of the film. It’s constantly going to keep you guessing. It’s very unpredictable. It’s constantly moving in directions you least expect.

It’s shocking, surprising you. People are looking for that in a thriller. Every director has a forte and this is Abbas Mastan’s.

How is your comfort level with them?

We’ve got a tremendous comfort level because this is my third film and I’ve done Race as well. We like each other on a personal level – our business is a very people’s business.

You’re spending 100, 110 days in each other’s company from morning to night so it’s important at some level to like the people you work with. It’s an added bonus. It’s also important to a team to have success.

If you really enjoy working with each other but keep churning flop after flop, even that’s not going to work. Both our past films have been successes. We bounce off each other really well.

The trailers of Gandhi My Father are out. Have you seen the play?

No I missed it, but many people in my family have seen it.

How did the role of Harilal Gandhi come to you?

(Producer) Anil Kapoor and (director) Feroz Abbas Khan have been working on the script for a long time. It’s something they were very passionate about it and they offered it to me.

What was your reaction to the script?

I was spellbound. I had never experienced writing of this caliber. It was literally a work of genius; the writing was so powerful and beautiful. I had never experienced reading a script like that. It took me by the scruff of my neck and shook me up.

What is your feeling about the character itself?

We’re not here to analyse the character. I have to play the part. In this film, we’re telling a story that’s 100 per cent true about the relationship that Mahatma Gandhi shared with his eldest son Harilal Gandhi.

It’s a very intimate father and son love story. This is how my director calls it. And this is a story that a handful of people are aware of. In fact we know everything about Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, but we know nothing about their children. So this becomes a very interesting, beautiful story to tell.

This film has nothing to do with history, the freedom struggle or independence. It is about the family of Gandhi. And these are emotions that never become irrelevant or obsolete. They will never die. Everyone has a family so it’s a very universal theme.

Did you feel that Harilal was doomed because he struggled at every turn?

This is a film we really care about. Our entire team came from a place of honesty, of truth, as much as was humanly possible. We just wanted to tell the story as it is, without being judgmental. That was the very essence of our journey. We leave the judging to the audience. Our entire focus was in telling the story.

Apparently, there are some Gandhians protesting over the film’s theme?

I haven’t heard of anything. How can they protest about something they know nothing about? This is the story based on the biography of Harilal Gandhi by Chandulal Dalal.

Wasn’t the film stalled in court over some copyright problems?

No one has a copyright on history. So that doesn’t even arise. The project was never stalled.

After watching the film, how did you feel?

I wouldn’t want to talk about it. It’s so easy to praise yourself, your work, your family. I find it very stupid when people do that. I have loved this film – to me, it’s very special, like all my films are. But for me to sit and praise it without people having seen it, I find very immature and embarrassing. I have loved the film.

There were reports that you, along with the rest of the cast, did an hour of yoga every day while shooting. Is that your usual form of exercise?

I used to practise yoga anyway. I was really into it. It made me feel physically and mentally very good. It was a nice routine that Feroz suggested. I’ve always been athletic since school. I don’t exercise to lose weight. I enjoy it. I feel great after a workout – whether it’s squash, yoga or swimming. You feel so good!

Were you a rebellious son?

As a teenager, right up to when I was 25-26, I was very rebellious. I rebelled against any authority, sometimes even stupidly. That came from immaturity, childishness. Until date, I haven’t been comfortable with authority. Now my rebelliousness is more mature (laughs).

Do you protest quietly?

Yeah, I protest quietly. My rebellious energy is more mature.

What was your relationship like with your own dad? He was a bit of an absentee dad when he became an Osho follower.

(Pauses) I think we were too young to kind of understand anything. I was four or five. So that’s too young. I definitely must have felt the lack of it, but we had such a wonderful family support system.

That’s such a beautiful thing in India. As a child you feel so loved and taken care of. So those feelings were (pauses) balanced by family.

Was his absence ever explained to you?

No.

Did you ever question it?

No.

Any adjustment problems?

I don’t have a distinct memory of it.

Have the Khannas thought of teaming up?

We haven’t got script to team up together. I think Sunny has been working in the industry now for about 25 years? It’s taken him that long to find the right script for his dad, Bobby and him to work together. Give us little more time…

Rahul recently said how you’re often the bossy brother.

Really? I can be a bit bossy sometimes, but he’s bullied me all his life, so if I do it now, once in a while, it’s ok.

A while ago, you said you were lacking in self-confidence.

Self-confidence… it’s like the stock market. It goes up and down. I’ve never analysed why.

Your recent films Aap Ki Khatir and Salaam-e-Ishq were both disappointments.

Yes, I was particularly disappointed with Salaam-e-Ishq. I loved the film. The length proved to be an issue with the film. I completely understand why people felt it was too long, but I expected it to do much better.

At that time, you said the commitment-phobe in Salaam-e-Ishq was a lot like you. Do you still feel like that?

Sometimes. I suppose it’s all about someday meeting that person you can’t resist. That day hasn’t come. That’s the way I see love.

You’re still friends with your ex Tara Sharma — were there commitment problems there?

Yes, we’re friends, but the issue there wasn’t commitment.

And stories of you seeing someone in the US?

Untrue.

What is the status on your love life?

Nonexistent. I’m only 32 yaar. Why does everyone want to get me married? Let me enjoy myself, my freedom. I thoroughly protect and nurture it so it lasts for as long as possible.

On Simi Garewal’s show, you said you were anti-marriage.

(Sighs) I’m for reforms in the institution of marriage. I don’t subscribe to it in its present form. I feel that enough time has past; I think the time has come for changes to be made in the institution. It was not perfect when it was made and it’s still imperfect.

All institutions go through change. Life itself is change. Why shouldn’t marriage change? Let the pandits sit and discuss in forums. I think an overall look has to be taken. We have taken leaps in science and spirituality. Why not improve upon marriage?

Looks like you’ve really thought about this.

No, not really, I’ve never articulated this before. It’s an interesting thought. Most people may take offence to it because they believe marriage is a sacred thing. I apologise to them, but I’m entitled to my opinion.

You’re best friends with Anil Kapoor today. Did it start on the sets of Taal?

It started there definitely, but we lost touch. I met him couple of times a year at parties. But we interacted in such close proximity on this film that it gave us an opportunity to be friends.

Do you look to him for advice — career or personal?

(Laughs) Many times. Well, he is one of the senior most, successful actors. What I enjoy about Anil as a person and friend is his positivity about life. His energy is very positive and creative. He’s like a source of energy. People who meet him sip from that tap – it’s always open. That’s a great quality in a man.

There is an age gap between you two. Do you feel you’re more mature than your years?

I wish! No, I don’t think so. I know a lot of people my age who are much more mature than me.

From Mid-day. Thanks to the commenter who posted the link. You rock!

No movies but Shortcut to go and that won't start for a couple of months. Depressing! It makes me wild to think that there is this incredible actor just sitting at home doing nothing!