Fardeen in the reckoning again

JaiVeeru star Fardeen Khan returns to our screens this week after a long break.

The last big release he starred in was 2007's Heyy Babyy, one of the top grossers that year. The same year, though, he was also seen in Ram Gopal Varma's Darling, which despite actually being one of the director's better works, fared abysmally at the box-office.

However, perhaps because its title references all-time hit Sholay (where Amitabh Bachchan played Jai and Dharmendra Veeru), Puneet Sira's Jai Veeru has begun to rake it in even before release. It has already been pre-sold to distributors in all territories – a record not many films have notched up in recent times – and had full houses in select markets.

Amid all the controversy that co-star Kunal Khemu has a better role in the film – something Khan chooses not to address . The actor has been spending time in and out of hospital, as his father, actor Feroz Khan, has been in intensive care. Emirates Business talked to the reticent actor early this week.


Why choose Jai Veeru?

It was a good story for me to do. I liked the subject a lot and honestly, the title too is a damn good one. My business manager also felt that it was the best title in recent times.

What determines your choice of film?

The script is important, the director is too. And I need to have a good role. I also need to like the banner. In this case [producers] Shyam and Narendra Bajaj have a great reputation.

So how important is this movie to your career – you've said you've been waiting for the right offer?

If any actor is serious about his career, every film should be important. I put my best into every film, so all are close to my heart.

Sajid Khan, who made Heyy Babyy with you, says no filmmaker has been able to exploit your potential properly. What do you say?

Sajid has his views. I have mine. I am someone who has worked in almost 25 films and I feel I have not been repetitive. I have also proved my potential in those films.

You don't want to be a superstar, then?

I'm here to act. I haven't come to the industry to do all that. I am not worried about being ranked. It is an honour to be a part of this industry. I have not bothered about petty issues like what number I am ranked at. I want people to remember Fardeen Khan the actor.

What's going to happen to your father's remake of Qurbani – Saif Ali Khan was supposed to be in it, too?

See, work is on for the film. Dad's been unwell, but has kind of recovered now and we're waiting for him to recover totally. Films can wait. The remake of Qurbani can happen as and when.

Saif turned the film down and then agreed to endorse garment brand Provogue – replacing you in the ads?

I know what you are getting at. But it is not about that. Saif and I are professionals and you want to indicate that there may be a rivalry between us. Sorry, no such good news for you.

How's your next film for producer Sanjay Gupta, Acid Factory, coming along?

I have worked with the director Suparn Varma in Acid Factory and he is a good friend and a stylish filmmaker. People associated with the film feel it's good.

What about Dulha Mil Gaya?

Well, there's Shah Rukh in that film too. I have a nice role in the movie as a millionaire.


Who is Fardeen?

Fardeen Khan is the son of the actress Sundri and famed Indian actor/director Feroz Khan.

Khan Sr directed his son in his 1998 debut, Prem Aggan, following the lukewarm success of which he broke through with Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle.

In 2001, Fardeen was arrested for possessing cocaine – perhaps the apex in a long line of scandals. However, he moved from 'coke' to Pepsi and was named brand ambassador for the cola giant.

At the same time he was also endorsing Indian garment label Provogue.

His career travelled a steady upward graph, until 2005's No Entry, one of that year's top films. In 2007, he had another hit with Heyy Babyy, but has been away from the screen since.

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