‘Feel Lucky We Can Just Pick Up The Phone And Ask Him Anything’ : Farhan Akhtar On Javed Akhtar

In a candid interview, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar delved into the profound creative legacy of his father, the acclaimed lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, highlighting the seamless blend of family ties and professional synergy that has shaped his career.

Farhan, who has long credited Javed’s artistry for inspiring his own pursuits in cinema, traced their collaborations back to the 2001 breakthrough Dil Chahta Hai, where Javed penned the film’s songs. That partnership extended to Lakshya, which Farhan directed, and continued through subsequent ventures like Don, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Rock On!. “We’ve been working together since Dil Chahta Hai,” Farhan noted. “He wrote songs for the film. He wrote Lakshya, which I directed. And he has written songs for almost every film of mine since then… So working with him is really, really easy.”

What sets their dynamic apart, Farhan explained, is Javed’s generous approach. A virtuoso in poetry and language, the elder Akhtar prioritizes the vision of his collaborators—be they directors, producers, or composers—without imposing his stature. “He’s a treasure trove of talent and has mastery over poetry and words,” Farhan said. “But he doesn’t really weigh heavy on you when you’re working with him. He really likes to be able to deliver what it is that you want… He’s very collaborative.”

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This rapport, Farhan emphasized, stems from a lifetime of influence that predates their joint projects. Javed’s presence has been a constant guide since Farhan’s youth, a resource that feels almost surreal in its accessibility. “He’s been an influence for me from the time that I was a child,” Farhan reflected. “I have to keep reminding myself at times that how fortunate we are that we have this access to him… That we can just pick up the phone and call him and ask him anything that we want.”

These insights arrive amid Farhan’s buildup to 120 Bahadur, a gripping war drama drawing from the 1962 Battle of Rezang La. The story spotlights the valor of 120 troops from the Indian Army’s 13th Kumaon Regiment, who held firm against insurmountable challenges in harsh terrain. Farhan embodies Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the gallant Param Vir Chakra recipient who commanded the Ahir Company with unyielding resolve. Under director Razneesh “Razy” Ghai’s helm, the movie is slated for cinemas on November 21, 2025.