Bollywood has become more impersonal: Farah Khan

By Durga Chakravarty

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) She began her career as a choreographer in Hindi filmdom and donned the director's hat for blockbusters like "Om Shanti Om" and "Happy New Year". Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan, who has journeyed for over two decades in showbiz, says Bollywood has now become more impersonal.

Asked how the attitude of actors has changed over the years, Farah told IANS here: "Of course people are professional and all that, but I feel something still stays the same. Actors are still self-absorbed and so are actresses."

"Now everything is run by managers and artiste management companies. So I think it has become a little impersonal and not like earlier. Earlier, it was a little personal... Now it's all corporate and impersonal."

Farah started her journey with "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar" in 1992 and, in 2004, went on to direct her first film, "Main Hoon Na", starring her close friend and superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Now she is seen as the host of Star Plus' reality television show "Lip Sing Battle", and feels grateful for her journey of 25 years in the industry.

"I feels just like yesterday. Time has flown, but it's nice. When I do 'Lip Sing Battle' and I meet people, my relationship with them goes back so many years. It's like being family for so many years. And it feels nice that 25 years down the line I am doing relevant work and still in the thick of it all. So I am grateful," she added.

Farah, 52, married filmmaker Shirish Kunder in 2004 and gave birth to triplets -- son Czar and daughters Diva and Anya -- in February 2008.

How does she manage her work and personal life?

"I don't do everything at one time. So I had a long gap of about five-six months. I took my kids for a holiday. This show ('Lip Sing Battle') will get over by October end and then I will start writing my scripts," Farah said.

She spends a lot of time with her three children.

"In fact, they don't have time any more... But when we go out, it's just me, the kids and Shirish. So whatever time I do spend with them, it's a lot for a working person," she said.

Asked if she ever plans to direct a show on the small screen, she said: "I have been offered a lot of web-series but the thing is that TV has a very different work style."

"I have been really spoilt by doing movies and being given huge budgets, lot of days and big stars. So, directing for television, I don't think I have the patience or the inclination to do it. I'd rather be on TV," she added.

(Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)