Farah Khan Reveals Why She Once Refused To Choreograph Akshaye Khanna: ‘I Don’t Want To Work With Artists Who Are Irritating’

Farah Khan has opened up about her early experiences working with Akshaye Khanna, revealing that there was a phase in the 1990s when she found the actor particularly difficult to work with. The choreographer-filmmaker said his behaviour on set frustrated her so much that she once decided she would not choreograph his songs.

However, their collaboration on Dil Chahta Hai eventually changed Farah’s perspective, with the filmmaker saying she saw a noticeable transformation in the actor.

1. Farah says Akshaye was difficult to work with

During a conversation on choreographers Bosco and Caesar’s podcast Dance Masti, Farah was asked about actors she had found difficult to work with.She recalled that Akshaye Khanna was particularly challenging during the early part of her career.Farah said she had worked with him on films including Doli Saja Ke Rakhna and Laawaris, and described him as very irritable during that period.

2. His behaviour made choreography difficult

According to Farah’s recollection, Akshaye sometimes didn’t want to stand during shoots, which made the choreography process more difficult.She said the experience became frustrating enough for her to make a firm decision about future songs involving the actor.

3. ‘If it is Akshaye Khanna’s song, I don’t want to choreograph it’

Farah revealed just how strongly she felt at the time.She said she had reached a point where her reaction was essentially: if the song featured Akshaye Khanna, she didn’t want to choreograph it.For a choreographer working around elaborate song schedules, rehearsals and performances, having an actor who was difficult to coordinate with could naturally make the process more demanding.

4. Dil Chahta Hai changed everything

The equation changed when Farah had to work with Akshaye again on Dil Chahta Hai in 2001.The film was directed by her cousin Farhan Akhtar, which meant Farah couldn’t simply walk away from the collaboration.But instead of repeating her earlier experience, she noticed a completely different side of Akshaye.

5. Farah saw a transformation in Akshaye

Farah said that after Dil Chahta Hai, she felt Akshaye had undergone a transformation.She described him as much more relaxed and praised his dancing ability, particularly his performance in the film’s much-loved track ‘Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe’.Farah even suggested that Akshaye danced better than his co-stars Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan in the song.

6. Their equation continued with Tees Maar Khan

Their improved professional equation eventually continued into Farah’s directorial film Tees Maar Khan.Farah recalled that Akshaye was “too good” in the film and again praised him as a very good dancer.Her comments show that while her early experience with the actor had been frustrating, she ultimately changed her opinion after seeing a different side of him.

7. Farah says she values a positive set

Farah also explained the larger reason behind her reaction.For her, the atmosphere on a film set matters. She said she doesn’t want to work with artists whose behaviour makes the working environment irritating or uncomfortable.At the same time, her own recollection suggests that her opinion of Akshaye changed considerably over the years proving that professional equations can evolve.

KnowBuddys Take

Plot twist: Farah Khan went from “I don’t want to choreograph him” to “bro can actually DANCE.”

The Dil Chahta Hai effect was apparently REAL.

1990s Akshaye: Farah, please find another choreographer. 👀
2001 Akshaye: Koi Kahe starts playing. 🕺🔥
Farah: Okay… I take it back.

And honestly, the biggest takeaway is that people and professional equations can change a LOT over the years.

Character development, but make it Bollywood.