Well, they say ‘nothing succeeds like success’. It’s an old adage and in today’s context it seems appropriate for actor-director Farhan Akthar. But then, this new poster boy of Bollywood isn’t your typical Bollywood hero and if you thought this talented son of Javed Akhtar is sitting on his laurels and basking in the heady success of Luck By Chance, you’re in for a big surprise.

“It’s great feeling to be accepted for your work; be it as a director or an actor,”
he smirks.  And it’s been a rollercoaster ride for this talented father of two. He is trying to get used to the fact of fans thronging outside his house, and his cell phone getting jammed with messages from all over the world. But Farhan has taken his new found stardom and success with a pinch of salt. “My greatest fans are my two daughters at home. The younger one is just two years old. She’s too young to give any reaction, but she gets excited when she sees me on screen. And as for the elder one, who is eight, is extremely thrilled when her friends tell her that they saw me on TV, it makes her very happy. And that’s what makes me proud and happy,” he reveals.

So has his success taken toll on his family life? “Yes I have been spending less time at home and that’s what

bothers my wife. And, I feel bad also. But she understands and is extremely supportive,” he says and reveals that he didn’t intend to become an actor at all, but Rock On happened and as they say, rest is history.

“Frankly speaking, I never thought seriously about acting till Rock On.  But I’m glad, the script which is about the lives of singers, also allowed me to fulfill my other dream… to sing. I always wanted to be a singer. Things just fell in place, because I attempted. I feel you can choose what you wish to do and try and not be depressed if your work is not accepted. The parameters of success are different for different people,” he explains.

So how has

I never thought seriously about acting till Rock On. I'm not your typical Bollywood hero.

Luck By Chance changed his life? “No dramatic changes obviously”, he smiles. “Frankly speaking, Zoya is the real star of the film. I’m extremely proud of her work as a brother and as a producer. It’s great to know that the film has received appreciation from all corners and that Zoya’s eye for detail, her writing, and the way she has extracted performances from the actors are lauded too,” he says.

However, he says, stardom isn’t going to carnage him, “I don’t intend to get trapped in stardom, or star images. It’s not me. People should love, and respect me for being myself.  I’m not your typical Bollywood hero. I am a simple and grounded fellow,” he says.