Every job comes with its share of risks and rewards: Farhan Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar entered the film industry as a director, but he hasn’t donned the film-maker’s hat for some time now. Instead, he has opted to act and sing. The actor is now looking forward to his next production Raees. Farhan is also foraying into digital media with a web series. As for acting in an online production, he says, “All avenues are open if something interesting comes my way.” HT Café catches up with him for a quick chat.

Can you take more risks with your choices as an actor than as a director or a film-maker?

Every job comes with its share of risks, challenges and rewards. You try and do your best. Your efforts are to be as honest as possible in your storytelling. At times it works, and at times it doesn’t.

I feel that it defeats the purpose of what we are trying to do if you function with a safety net in a creative field. I think we have to take risks as storytellers. We have to try and push the envelope. Otherwise, what’s the point?

You have been part of story-driven films. Will you ever take up a no-brainer entertainer or a slapstick comedy?

I would love to do a comedy [film]. I got the chance to do a bit of comedy in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). I had a wonderful time. But comedy is serious business. It’s not easy. People imagine comedy to be the easiest genre to work in. But it’s really tough to make people laugh.

It is easier to move people through drama. With comedy, the timing of all the actors, the body language — everything plays a huge role. And as for a no-brainer, a certain amount of brains is required to create a no-brainer (laughs). I think I might do one.

You have dabbled in different genres as a film-maker and an actor. What genre would you never take up?

For me, personally, the areas I am not comfortable venturing into would be anything that gets into borderline vulgarity or being crass. Those are the areas I am not happy to get into. But that aside, if it is a great comedy that I know will work, and will make people laugh, then sure, why not?

Your first web series is being produced on a big scale…

We are working on a web series, which is being shot and produced. I think it is going to be the first show that will be released on the digital platform, first one out of India. We are excited about that.

On the music front, you perform live regularly. How different is this one than any of your other concerts?

To start with, there is great energy in any festival, such as Enchanted Valley Carnival. I think because of the kind of festival that it is — it does allow a little bit of experimentation with sound. We may do a couple of songs that we don’t get to do in other places.

What do you like about music festival as an artiste?

You get to discover other artistes, their works, and get to meet fellow, like-minded music-loving people. It is a great atmosphere; it is quite fun. There is so much to see and listen to. I would say it is such a joy to discover new music and discovering new talent.

The actor was last seen on screen in Rock On 2, and as a filmmaker, is producing Raees and his first web series Powerplay.