Tabloid
All in the film family
Gulf News reporter Ritu Raizada catches up with the Khan family soon after the launch of Kurbani.
- By Ritu Raizada, Gulf News Reporter
- Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
Ritu Raizada catches up with the Khan family soon after the launch of Kurbani.
Pa Khan on Fardeen
Fardeen was a natural choice for the role of Rajesh that I played and, of course, I am there to guide him. Prem Aggan was a flop, yes, but Janasheen did fairly well. I made a very simple love story and people expected me to be in the movie too.
I was there just for 15 seconds. Besides, people expected me to make an action movie and which Prem Aggan was not. My stand was vindicated when Fardeen won the Filmfare Male Debut Award that year.
Feroz Khan, director
In Kurbani, are we going to hear a new version of Laila O Laila or will the lyrics be the same?
Yes, it will be a new version of the same song. The lyrics will be re-written but in each song, you will notice a subtle touch of the original score and then we take on from there.
For instance, in the title track of Kurbani, we have retained the enthusiasm, tempo and the line Allah Ko Pyari Hai Qurbani. This way, the original flavour of the film has been retained.
Your films have been known for their music and for the fact that you have launched the careers of many singers. Are you planning to launch a fresh voice, all over again?
Yes you are right. I had launched Nazia Hassan, Kanchan in Qurbani and Jolly Mukherjee with Sapna Mukherjee in Dayavan. In Kurbani, the remake, as of now I haven't really got a new voice to launch but we will see. I have already got Shreya Ghosal singing the new version of Aap Jaisa Koi and though she is not a new singer, I find her voice to be really good.
Had Amjad Khan, Amrish Puri and Kanchan been alive today, would you have considered them to be a part of the remake?
That?s a very hypothetical question. See, they were both great actors and unfortunately, Amjad died when he was in his early 50s. Amrishji was of fairly good health when he died in his 70s. That?s part of of the game, I guess.
Prem Aggan and Janasheen have been your previous two attempts to work with Fardeen but they were unsuccesseful at the box office. Still, you chose to cast Fardeen in one more home production.
Fardeen was a natural choice for the role of Rajesh that I played and, of course, I am there to guide him. Prem Aggan was a flop, yes, but Janasheen did fairly well. I made a very simple love story and people expected me to be in the movie too. I was there just for 15 seconds. Besides, people expected me to make an action movie and which Prem Aggan was not.
My stand was vindicated when Fardeen won the Filmfare Male Debut Award that year. So you have to also see that I have four superhits, three semi-hits and one flop. Nobody can be a winner all the time. It?s just not possible.
Fardeen Khan, actor
Are you nervous or excited about stepping into your Dad's shoes as Rajesh in Kurbani?
Well, I am both nervous and excited. I know for sure that these are very big shoes to step into. Kurbani has been a landmark film in Hindi cinema and sooner or later, it had to be remade. I am glad it's being done by my dad.
Are you a shopaholic?
No, definitely not. But I do shop as and when possible.
You are known as a style icon. How do you keep yourself ahead of others?
I really don?t take these titles seriously. I am happy to be called an icon, thank you but I dress for comfort.
Which is your favourite colour?
Black, anyday.
Has marriage changed you?
I am still the same person I used to be. Really, I don?t see any changes in any manner. I am happier, yes. I think that?s all the more because my wife Natasha and I knew each other before marriage.
You love cooking at home. So what do you treat folks at home with?
I enjoy cooking, yes. I feel it is therapeutic. I cook good steak and tandoori chicken. I am not very good at making curries.
You are a good-looking guy..
(Interrupts) Oh really? Thank you.
Yes, you are. Now tell me, what is it about a woman that would attract you? Her features, skin, attitude, height or personality?
It's the whole package. You can?t pick one thing. I would say that being with someone is what should make you feel superb and share your life with her. Everything else takes a backseat then.
Laila Khan Rajpal
What are the fondest memories of the original film?
I was 13 or 14 when Dad (Feroz Khan) came home one day and said, 'Come here, my darling, I have a song for you' and that's when I first heard the song Laila O Laila. Dad really liked this name and got a song composed with my name in it.
How does it feel to witness Qurbani being recreated?
It definitely feels great. But what's good about the whole thing is that it's all happening within the family.
As a Khan-family member, what is your contribution going to be in Kurbani?
Nothing as such because I am essentially a painter. But yes when there are discussions at home, then I am a part of the whole thing.
Has Fardeen changed after his marriage?
Oh yes. He has become more domesticated and I feel marriage has sobered him down. That's natural because Natasha and he were friends before they got married. I find Fardeen cooking and spending time with us.
Share this article
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
