Fans of India’s biggest “rock star”, Farhan Akhtar, are not the only ones who cannot wait for his much-anticipated Abu Dhabi debut this week.
The musician, singer, actor, producer and filmmaker is also looking forward to performing in the city for the first time.
“I always have a great time working and vacationing in Dubai,” Akhtar says from Mumbai.
“But bringing my concert for the first time to Abu Dhabi, a new city, is always something to look forward to. I’ve heard it’s crazy hot, but that’s something we’re used to because we perform outdoors in India all the time.
Perhaps best-known for his role as a musician in his first film Rock On!!, and his directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai in 2001, the 42-year-old will perform on Friday at one of two Bollywood in the Capital concerts at du Forum on Yas Island, as part of the Abu Dhabi Summer Season 2016 festival – and he has a special set list planned.
"I'm planning to create a bouquet of memories," he says. "From Dil Chahta Hai to Dil Dhadakne Do, I'll try to incorporate all the popular songs from films I've worked on, and take listeners on a nostalgic trip down musical memory lane."
The audience is in for a treat, then, because most of the 20 films that Akhtar has been associated with have had immensely successful soundtracks that topped the music charts in India.
Besides enjoying rock star status in his home country, Akhtar's acting talents also have earned him a formidable fan following. His second film – the critically acclaimed Luck By Chance, his sister Zoya Akhtar's warts-and-all paean to the complicated juggernaut that is Bollywood – brought him recognition, mostly for his impeccable comic timing and sensitive portrayal of a ruthlessly ambitious Delhiite determined to find a foothold in the tenuous, cut-throat world of Hindi cinema.
Akhtar's real story is somewhat different: his father is renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar, his mother is the actress Honey Irani, and his sister Zoya is one of Bollywood's best-known directors, acclaimed for her small but successful contemporary films including Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and last year's Dil Dhadakne Do – both of which starred her brother in defining roles.
But it was the 2015 sports biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) that earned Akhtar several awards, for his portrayal of Indian track athlete Milkha Singh. It was a gritty performance that required him to train hard and attain high levels of fitness.
He is also credited with infusing some much-needed pragmatism into Bollywood, and his production company Excel Entertainment has successfully backed numerous commercial and indie filmmakers.
But music seems to be his first love. Akhtar regularly features on the soundtracks to his films, collaborating with well-known Indian musicians and crooning in his distinctive, husky voice.
He sang five of the eight songs in Rock On!!, and went on to sing in movies including Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Shaadi Ke Side Effects and Wazir. He has also performed at many international concerts.
"Travelling to a different country is always exciting," he says. "But, even though I've performed across the world, I most enjoy performing at colleges in India, and playing for that young college crowd. Most college festivals are free for students, and the joy they get and express – nothing beats that." Akhtar recently completed filming for Rock On!! 2, a sequel in which he, Arjun Rampal and Purab Kohli reprise their roles as the three remaining members of Magick, the band from the original Rock On!!
This time, they are joined by actress and singer Shraddha Kapoor. The film is due for release in November.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to perform any of the songs from Rock On!! 2 in Abu Dhabi, because we're keeping the music and the plot under wraps until September," Akhtar says.
He does reveal that most of the film was shot in India’s tourist-free, north-eastern state of Meghalaya, and that the producers sought out Somersault, a band from the state capital, Shillong, who are known for their tribal music and message-orientated lyrics. In the film, Magick teams up with Somersault for an explosive gig.
"Rock On!! 2 is set in Shillong, so we thought it would be nice to feature a local band in the soundtrack," says Akhtar. "Somersault have recorded one song in the local language, Khasi, and we're all excited about the reaction it might get. Hopefully, once the music promotions are under way in September, we might come back to Abu Dhabi for another concert.
"You know, it's amazing to me, but the songs from Rock On!! usually get the craziest reaction from the crowd."
Musicians Vishal and Shekar will also take the stage on Friday. The following evening’s gig features musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
These are big names on the Indian music scene, all of whom have worked with Akhtar on several projects. He points out that his friendship with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy goes way back and he expects “a lot of excitement backstage, for sure”.
“They are all great performers and I love their music,” he says. “In fact, I’m in concert on the same day as Vishal and Shekhar. I look forward to catching their show because I haven’t been to one of their gigs in a long time. They have a lot of energy, so it should be fun.”
Ever the entrepreneur, Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment is now backing an iOS and Android app that offers Bollywood-related content.
Called FlickBay, it is free to download and includes news, trailers, songs, reviews, ratings, information on box-office performance and details about new movies.
“Jungle Ventures created FlickBay, and my company Excel is supporting it,” Akhtar says.
“It’s a good gateway to connect with people and get a feel for their taste in films and music.
“The language of cinema is changing in India – there is a new audience year on year, so it’s nice to be able to share information and get a sense of what they want.”
• Bollywood in the Capital: Farhan Live! + Vishal and Shekhar is at the du Forum in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Tickets are Dh170 (general admission, standing in front of the stage) and Dh200 (reserved seating in the grandstand directly behind the standing area). Tickets are available at Virgin Megastore branches.
pmunyal@thenational.ae
