Farhan Akhtar Reflects on Depression After Lakshya’s Box Office Failure. Farhan Akhtar, the acclaimed actor-director, recently opened up about the emotional toll he faced following the box office failure of his film Lakshya. Despite featuring stars like Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta and having a compelling storyline, the film did not perform as expected, leading Akhtar into a significant period of depression.
Lakshya’s Underperformance
In a heartfelt conversation with Raj Shamani, Farhan Akhtar shared his experience of dealing with Lakshya’s disappointing reception. After the success of Dil Chahta Hai, Akhtar was confident about his next project and invested immense effort into making Lakshya. He believed that hard work would guarantee success, saying, “Bachpan se sunte aa rahe hai dil se mahenat karo toh reward milega (Since childhood, we have been hearing that if you work hard with all your heart, you will get a reward). I was convinced that in my entire life, I hadn’t worked so hard the way I did for this film.”
Coping with Depression
The film’s failure was a harsh blow for Akhtar, who had high hopes for its success. He revealed that they had even prepared a special screening for General Nirmal Chander Vij, aiming to impress the army with a unique cinematic experience. However, the film’s poor performance left him questioning his efforts and led to a deep depression. Akhtar mentioned that during this time, there were no therapy concepts available, so he sought solace by traveling with friends to Dehradun and visiting the Indian Military Academy (IMA). It was during these trips that he conceived the idea for Don.
Don 3 and Jee Le Zaraa
Despite the setback, Farhan Akhtar continued to pursue his passion for filmmaking. He recently announced his upcoming film Don 3, which will star Ranveer Singh and Kiara Advani in lead roles. Filming is set to begin in 2025, and Akhtar expressed his excitement about the project. He explained that the role of Don required a next-generation actor like Ranveer Singh, who he described as charming, mischievous, and energetic. Akhtar noted that Ranveer has not yet taken on a role similar to Don, suggesting that this aspect of his acting remains “untapped.”
In addition to Don 3, Akhtar has also announced Jee Le Zaraa, which he will direct. Reflecting on his journey since his last directorial venture, he shared that while he has enjoyed being part of several excellent films, he feels a strong urge to return to directing.