Farah Khan Talks About Om Shanti Om

Although she has made only one film, she’s a star director since she already features on most actors’ wishlist. Her new film that is currently in production stars Shah Rukh Khan in the leading role and for one song, she’s got 31 of Bollywood’s leading stars make a friendly appearance. Only Farah Khan could have pulled that off. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand chats with her on the special show To Catch a Star.

Rajeev Masand: You’ve got 31 of Bollywood’s top stars in one song of your new film Om Shanti Om. It must have been a nightmare to pull off?

Farah Khan: Actually, it was easier than I thought. We could have had more stars but then the song would have to be half an hour long. Out of the 35 stars we approached, 30 instantly said yes. So I think it was all the love and affection.

Rajeev Masand: There were people who said ‘no’?
Farah Khan: Some of them, yes. But for various reasons, like they were not in town or they were outdoor shooting or they just didn’t want to come. But no grudges held. Thirty of them were so sweet they didn’t make a fuss and 90 per cent of that was because they love Shah Rukh and I guess 10 per cent was because they really love me.

Rajeev Masand: You are being humble.
Farah Khan: No, I’m telling you. The heroines wanted to be with Shah Rukh. But there were people like Dharmji, Mithun, Jeetuji or even Rekha who were so gracious and we had a stress-free shoot.

Rajeev Masand: So you have some of the legendary actors and you have the contemporary ones like Saif …
Farah Khan: There’s Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Tushar Kapoor, Kajol, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji, Urmila Matondkar, Shilpa Shetty, Juhi Chawla, Shabana Azmi and Karisma Kapoor, who’s doing a first shot after four years.

Rajeev Masand: So it’s going to be quite the mix?
Farah Khan: Yes.

Rajeev Masand: Judging from your earlier film Main Hoon Na, I think people are expecting a completely mad film.
Farah Khan: Well, it has a more coherent story line but it is ten times madder than Main Hoon Na. It’s a trip, it’s my trip, Shah Rukh’s trip and because we had such a good time I think the audience will too. It’s a period film, set in the 1970s which was a rocking period for me. Also, you can imagine 1970s in Bollywood. So you can imagine the fun we have had with the hairstyles, the make up and the clothes.

Rajeev Masand: It is over the top?
Farah Khan: No, it is real. We did a lot of referencing. So if you see Shah Rukh wearing something, Rajesh Khanna or Rishi Kapoor would have probably worn it. So it was great fun for me being a 70s fan.

Souce : IBNlive