Influence of women in any field is good, says Farhan Akhtar

By Natalia Ningthoujam
New Delhi, Dec 15 Actor Farhan Akhtar hopes that females backing films as producers is not just a passing trend as he believes that women’s influence, irrespective of the field, is good for everyone.

Over the years, actors like Dia Mirza, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Chitrangda Singh and Richa Chadha have shown interest in contributing to film-making as producers.
When asked what he thought about the trend, Farhan said, “That’s how it should be. There are also a lot of female producers and women who are working in different companies and handling the creative aspect of those companies.”

He added that it’s amazing to see the change. “The more influence that we have of women in any field – be it films, sports or politics – it’s good for everyone because they have a different perspective on things. They have experienced life in different ways from what we as men have,” explained director Zoya Akhtar’s brother.
Farhan’s latest co-production Fukrey Returns, registered an opening day collection of over Rs8 crore on December 8. When questioned if box office collections more important when it’s his production, Farhan replied, “The reason you do a film is because you want to share it with the world. When a lot of people see your film, the most tangible recognition of it is the box office collection, because you can aggregate a number through it.”
But for him, success of a film also means “conceptually what is done to get people to think about things.”
The Karthik Calling Karthik actor also stated, “There are many films that were released in their time and not considered box office hits. But what those films meant, the kind of story-telling they have and the work that went into that film, have sustained. At times they are also considered as landmark films and way ahead of their times.”
The 43-year-old producer also revealed that a film’s success can be gauged on many fronts but the box office is equally important as people are putting money into it. “You don’t want anyone to lose money,” said the Rock On! star.
The first look of his next co-production 3 Storeys, starring Pulkit Samrat, Sharman Joshi, Richa Chadha and Renuka Shahane was unveiled last week.
Speaking on if multi-starrers are the formula to hit films, Farhan said, “I don’t think so. Eventually, a good story should be the formula for success. Whether it is about one person in a room or 21 people in a colony like in 3 Storeys. Our emphasis is on trying to tell good stories. Arjun Mukerjee, who is the director and writer of this film, has truly put together something that we consider very special. Now we are excited to share it with others.”
The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara actor is also passionate about fitness, among other things. Fronting ads of vitamins and dietary supplements brand, Farhan is now endorsing a health insurance company. To support his decision, he said, “The kind of work that I do, my life and focus on health and fitness, encourages people to come and speak to me about it.”

Farhan said that he got serious about fitness back in 2003 when he was shooting for Lakshya in Ladakh. “We were there for five months and I felt incredibly fit by the time I came back. My energy levels were really high when I returned to Mumbai and it was a feeling that I didn’t want to lose. That’s when I started training with my trainer Samir Jaura,” said the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag actor.
Farhan believes that fitness is not about “going to a gym and getting big biceps,” it’s much more than that.
–IANS