Farhad Samji on directing the actors in two upcoming projects that go on the floors in May and November respectively
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 6, 2020)

After the 2019 reincarnation-comedy Housefull 4, Farhad Samji has two films lined up with Sajid Nadiadwala this year—the Akshay Kumar-fronted Republic Day 2021 release Bachchan Pandey and Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali with Salman Khan. For Farhad, who will be directing Salman for the first time, life comes a full circle. During his struggling days, he used to go from one studio to another, when the 54-year-old actor spotted him on the sets of Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega. “It started as a five-minute chat but went on for hours as he loved the songs I’d written. Salman sir was to act in Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and got me on board as a first-time lyricist. He couldn’t do the film but David (Dhawan, director) sir retained my songs,” Farhad smiles.

The duo kicks off Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali in November to get it ready for an Eid 2021 release. Before that, Farhad will wrap up Bachchan Pandey, which goes on the floors this May. It is Akshay and Farhad’s fourth film together, after Entertainment, Housefull 3 and 4. The director promises a “hatke” story, adding, “A lot of my learning comes from Akshay sir’s experience. An idea is born in the brain and dies on paper, but while working with him, it comes alive again.”

Harking back to his first meeting with the Khiladi Kumar, Farhad informs it was Akshay who got him to turn director. “I’d gone to him for a narration at 5 am. The tradition of narrating scripts at the crack of dawn continues even today.”

Farhad will have two releases within four months next year. He downplays it, pointing out that it was the process of developing the idea that took time. “Both the scripts are almost ready; we just need to work on casting, recce and schedules,” he asserts.

Farhad remains tightlipped on details but promises “lots of action, emotion and comedy” in both films. “This isn’t run-of-the mill cinema. It was challenging to bring something new for Akshay sir and Salman sir who’ve been in the industry for so long,” he adds. As a writer, Farhad also has Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi next. “Rohit-Akshay combo has a different charm. In fact, Rohit Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Sajid Nadiadwala are the three pillars of my career,” he signs off.