Farhan Akhtar clarifies Amitabh Bachchan’s feelings during Lakshya shoot, says he never intended to ‘teach acting’ to him

November 12, 2025 - 11:43 AM IST

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan recently shared an anecdote about feeling like a “nausikhiya” (novice) during the shoot of Lakshya, directed by Farhan Akhtar. Now, Farhan has responded to the remark, explaining that he never meant to “teach acting” to the legendary actor and later realised his words might have unintentionally hurt him.

Farhan Akhtar clarifies Amitabh Bachchan’s feelings during Lakshya shoot, says he never intended to ‘teach acting’ to him

Farhan Akhtar on working with Amitabh Bachchan in Lakshya

In a recent conversation on Aap Ki Adalat, Farhan Akhtar addressed the incident and clarified that his intentions were purely professional. He said that during the first day of shooting in an Army cantonment, he was under pressure as a first-time director trying to follow the strict schedule and discipline associated with Army life.

Farhan explained that the location was extremely time-sensitive, and he had limited hours to complete the shoot without exceeding the allotted slot. This led to added stress, as any delay would have required fresh permissions.

Recalling his interaction with Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan said, “It was his first day on set, and he was taking a little time to get the performance right. From my end, I was only thinking about the pressure to finish on time. So, I went to his room to ask if he was facing any difficulty or if I could help in any way to make things smoother on set.”

He continued, “It’s possible that my enthusiasm may not have come across well. For a young director to ask a veteran actor like Mr. Bachchan if he needed help might have hurt him, though that was never my intention. I realised this later and apologised to him. My only aim was to make sure the work moved efficiently.”

What Amitabh Bachchan said about the incident

During an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, where Farhan and his father Javed Akhtar appeared to celebrate Big B’s birthday, Amitabh Bachchan shared his perspective on the same moment.

He recalled feeling a bit unsettled on set as he struggled with a scene and had to do multiple retakes, something unusual for him. “Farhan came to my room at night and asked, ‘Amit uncle, are you having some problem?’ I felt like a student being told how to act,” Bachchan said with a laugh.

He added that the incident left him emotional. “I called Jaya and told her, ‘They are telling me that I don’t know how to act.’ She said, ‘Amit ji, if you’re not happy, pack your bags and come back.’ But I decided to stay, and after that night, everything went smoothly. The rest of the shoot was wonderful.”

About Lakshya

Lakshya, released in 2004, marked Farhan Akhtar’s directorial debut. The war drama starred Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan, and was set against the backdrop of the Kargil conflict. Although the film underperformed at the box office, it later gained cult status for its direction, music, and realistic portrayal of military life.

Upcoming projects of Farhan Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan

Farhan Akhtar will next be seen in 120 Bahadur, directed by Razneesh Ghai. The film features him as Major Shaitan Singh, alongside Raashii Khanna, Vivian Bhatena, and Ankit Siwach. It is scheduled for release on November 21.

Amitabh Bachchan, meanwhile, continues to host Kaun Banega Crorepati 17. He will next appear in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, also starring Prabhas and Kamal Haasan. The film is set to go on floors in December this year.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan extends heartfelt wishes to grandson Agastya Nanda ahead of Ikkis release: “So proud of you”