Men & You: Farkhan Akhtar Talks About His Biggest Turn Off and More

If there was an award category for Multi-Tasking Bollywood Hottie, Farhan Akhtar would win it, without much contention. The man is an actor, singer, producer, director, script-writer, lyricist, television host and now social activist, and very successful at each of his roles. Here, Mr A talks about date night faux pas, his upcoming projects and his recent social initiative, MARD.

Cosmo: What, according to you, makes a relationship work?

Farhan Akhtar: “Honesty!That is the biggest thing!”

C: What’s your biggest turn on?

FA: “A nice, radiant smile—it has the power to light up someone’s face.”

C: And your number-one turn off...

FA: “Probably body odour!”

C: What’s the one thing a woman must never say on a date?

FA: “I don’t know a lot about these things, but certainly not something like,‘Can I get my mom along?’”

C: What should a woman do to get your attention?

FA: “There are many things a woman can do to get my attention— like just call out my name. That would be a good start I think.”

C: Describe yourself in five words...

FA: “Somebody who lives in Bandra.”

C: What’s the one thing every guy lies about?

FA: “The size of his biceps.”

C: One thing you don’t get about women is...

FA: “Okay, it’s seasonal, but I witnessed it once and it was very frightening. It’s that zombie-like trance that women get into during sales! I’ve actually been run over by women inside a store during a sale!”

C: How do you deal with criticism?

FA: “Ithonestlydependson who it is coming from. If it’s a newspaper or a tabloid, I simply ignore it. But if it’s from people whose opinions I care about, then I listen carefully!”

C: Does your mindsetchange when you’re producing a movie, rather than directing or acting in it?

FA: “No, there isn’tamajorshift, but as a producer, it is slightly more hands-off because you realise it is someone else’s vision that you are supporting. So you don’t get attached to it as deeply as I think you would when you direct a movie. It still is yours, but you know it belongs to someone else.”

C: Is there a genre of movies you like working on the most?

FA: “Not the most, but I can tell you the ones I like working on the least. It’ll be those very true-blue love stories...I find them very boring.”

C: Fill in the blanks: no-one would think I’m sexy if they knew...

FA: “I bite my nails!”

C: How do you deal with all the attention you get from women?

FA: “I blush.”

C: Tell us about your personal style?

FA: “I don’t know... khichdi, maybe? I don’t know what to call it. It’s retro, snazzy, comfy...whatever you call it.”

C: Can a guy be completely honest in a relationship?

FA: “Well, he can try!”