Farhan Akhtar Addresses Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Nausikhiya’ Comment

Post by : Mina Rahman

Bollywood star and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has recently shed light on his directorial debut with Amitabh Bachchan in the film Lakshya, following claims that the iconic actor felt like a “nausikhiya.”

In an interview on Aap Ki Adalat, Farhan explained that he never aimed to “teach” Bachchan how to act, noting that misunderstandings arose from his novice status amid the strict discipline of the Army cantonment where they filmed.

Farhan recounted feeling the pressure during his first shoot in such a regimented setting, where timing was critical. “On the first day, I faced immense stress to keep everything on schedule. I thought chatting privately with Mr. Bachchan might help ease some difficulties,” he remarked.

Miscommunication from Good Intentions

Farhan noted that when he approached Bachchan it was purely out of professionalism, but now realizes it might have been perceived differently.

He stated, “I visited his room to say, ‘Sir, please let me know if you experience any issues so we can resolve them together.’ In hindsight, I see how my eagerness as a newcomer may have created an impression that I was trying to ‘guide’ him, which was not my intention. I did apologize afterward because my goal was just to ensure smooth progress during filming.”

Amitabh Bachchan's Experience

Earlier, during an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, Amitabh Bachchan shared his perspective on the matter.

The legendary actor admitted feeling awkward during the first days of filming, struggling to capture his performance as he wished. “I found the atmosphere on set very different. There were numerous retakes, and I felt quite embarrassed,” he shared.

Bachchan went on to mention that Farhan visited him the same night, asking about any difficulties he faced. “I felt like I was being instructed on how to perform,” he joked. “I called Jaya that evening and told her, ‘They’re saying I don’t know how to act!” but ultimately, I persisted, and the rest of the shoot went smoothly.

Respect and Admiration

Despite the earlier misunderstanding, both Amitabh Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar hold deep respect for each other. The veteran actor frequently commends Farhan’s artistic vision, while Farhan continues to tout Bachchan as a significant influence in his cinematic journey.

Their work on Lakshya not only created a noteworthy film but also forged experiences that helped shape Farhan’s career as a director.

About Lakshya

Released in 2004, Lakshya was Farhan Akhtar's sophomore directorial effort following Dil Chahta Hai. The war drama featured Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan and is set against the backdrop of the Kargil conflict.

While the film faced challenges at the box office upon its release, it has since garnered a devoted following for its engaging narrative, stellar performances, and striking direction, and is now viewed as one of Bollywood’s hidden gems.

Farhan Akhtar is poised to appear next in 120 Bahadur, directed by Razneesh Ghai, where he portrays Major Shaitan Singh alongside Raashii Khanna, Vivian Bhatena, and Ankit Siwach, slated for release on November 21.

Amitabh Bachchan, in the meantime, is currently at the helm of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 and will soon embark on a sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, a highly anticipated project set to begin production in December.