Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 4: Farhan Akhtar’s latest film as an actor, 120 Bahadur, failed to meet expectations at the box office, triggering industry chatter about how even strong efforts do not always translate into commercial success.
Amid the film’s lukewarm response, Farhan’s mother and veteran writer Honey Irani spoke about how the actor-director is dealing with the setback and the emotional toll such outcomes can have on filmmakers.
In an interview with Vickey Lalwani, Irani said the disappointment is deeply personal for everyone involved.
“We have all gone through it. He and Zoya both have gone through it. Of course, it is your personal loss because you have worked so hard on it and so many people are involved with the film and so much money is involved with the film. And when that film doesn’t work, it pains a lot,” she said.
“Never take success to their head and failures to their heart”
Irani also reflected on the values she tried to instil in Farhan and his sister, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, saying she encouraged them to remain grounded during both highs and lows.
“But I have always told them to never take success to their head and failures to their heart. This is a part of life. Sometimes those films work which you didn’t expect to work and sometimes even good films don’t work. Kaagaz Ke Phool was a masterpiece, but it did not work. These things happen in life. One has to analyse it,” she said.
She added that moving on after a creative disappointment takes time.
“It will take Farhan time to get over it, and to get over it, you have to move on to the next thing. But it will take time,” Irani observed.
“If you are an artist, you will be sensitive”
When asked who takes setbacks harder — Farhan or Zoya — Irani said sensitivity is natural for artists, adding that no one likes failure.
“We all are. We have our own way of dealing with it, including Javed Sahib and Shabana. If you are an artist, you will be sensitive, and who likes failure?” she said.
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced suggesting changes in Farhan’s upcoming projects. Speculation has emerged about Ranveer Singh’s reported exit from Don 3, the next instalment in the franchise earlier led by Shah Rukh Khan.
Media reports have linked the alleged departure to fee negotiations following Ranveer’s recent success and a scheduling clash, with the actor said to have pending work on Dhurandhar 2, reportedly slated for release on March 19. There has also been chatter online that Farhan unfollowed Ranveer on social media, further fuelling rumours of professional differences.
Attention has also shifted to Farhan’s next directorial project Jee Le Zaraa, which was announced with Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, and Katrina Kaif in lead roles. The film has faced delays, reportedly due to scheduling constraints, though Farhan has not made any official statement on the status of the project.