How Fardeen Khan quit smoking and lost 25 kgs to make Bollywood comeback

I hope your thoughts on how it’s going to do prove right and that’s exactly the hope. The buzz has been very good — the trailer was received really well, the plot and premise and the fun and madness that Housefull is known for has been received very well. There’s great buzz out there and we’re all pretty excited about how it’s going to open.

If someone’s looking for a lot of logic and reason, this is not the movie for them for sure. This is a movie you come to just be in the moment, to have laughs and just be entertained. Appreciate the madness and chaos of it all. That’s the spirit in which it was made.

I don’t understand this notion of being elitist. Films aren’t just meant to be relevant or speak to an issue or question the human condition. Sure, they can do that — it’s an evolution of literature. But literature also has magic, naughty stories, crazy tales — all kinds. This is a mad caper. Its purpose is to entertain, to tickle your funny bone, and to show the foolishness of these characters.

You’ve seen my earlier film Khushi, right? That was a rom-com, not an out-and-out comedy, but it had some funny scenes that landed well. My producer saw that and offered me the comic fare No Entry. That character was intentionally funny — a bit goofy, not the sharpest guy. Vulnerable, trusting — and that always landed in situations that were overwhelming. Comedy is a serious business. You can’t force people to laugh.

No, actually — my character isn’t one of the crazy ones. He’s in funny situations but he’s trying to understand the madness around him. Let’s just say he’s not up to the madness and craziness of what the others are doing.

Not at all. It was a great role, a great director, and I’m working with a producer who’s like a brother — Sajid Nadiadwala. When I came back, I met all the people I’d worked with and said, “If you have something, keep me in mind.” At that point, Sajid told me, “Fardeen, we’ll work together when the right thing comes.” A couple of years passed, and then he brought me Housefull 5. He said, “It’s not the biggest role in the film, but it’s a really good role.” Look at the cast — Akshay [Kumar], Abhishek [Bachchan], Ritesh [Deshmukh], Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline [Fernandez] — you don’t say no.

I missed it. I love storytelling. I love being on set, that human interaction, bringing characters to life. I’d been away too long. I came back with the approach of an absolute newcomer. I missed the energy of it all.

I still am playing catch-up! The audience has changed. The idea of a protagonist has changed. Earlier, it was very formulaic — now you have sophisticated stories, authentic voices, and streaming has disrupted the old framework. You’re no longer selling tickets at the box office — the pressure is different. It’s more about quality stories.

I moved to London around 2011 for personal reasons and stayed there till 2019 or 2020. Then I moved back to Mumbai in early 2021 to return to work. Dubai was a logical option during COVID. It was close to India, convenient, and great for my children — amazing schools, activities, and quality of life. I’ve been visiting Dubai since I was 13 or 14, and it’s grown into this incredible global city. It always felt like an extension of [Mumbai].

I wasn’t feeling good — physically or emotionally. I had low energy. I felt like a 60-year-old! I had two young kids, and I needed to be better. I hit my heaviest — crossed 100 kilos. I was smoking, drinking too much. I knew I had to take my health back. During lockdown, I finally had time. I educated myself about nutrition. I lost 25 kilos in about seven months.

At first, it felt like Mount Everest. But once I started and saw results, it motivated me. I followed the 80/20 rule — 80% clean, 20% indulgence. I even have a scoop of ice cream every day! The most important thing is sustainability. If it’s not something you can keep up, it won’t work.

I’m extremely grateful. It’s not often someone comes back after 12 years and is welcomed with love and curiosity. That means a lot. Maybe I did something right in my earlier films. I’ve been lucky to have people like Sanjay Gupta, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and now Sajid Nadiadwala believe in me again. I’m just very thankful.