Farhan Akhtar’s motorcycle diaries

Farhan Akhtar has developed a passion for motorcycle riding after learning to ride a bike for the first time for his home invention Karthik Calling Karthik. He turns 36 in January. Better late than never, we think.”Most young people in their teens love riding bikes. I made a promise to mom (Honey Irani) that I wouldn’t drive bikes. Her two brothers had been involved in a major car disaster and she didn’t want me to be involved in one. I never felt the need to drive a bike. Maybe, because I gave mom my word.”

My first major vehicle was not a bike – but a Fiat car at 20 (I have a Range Rover today). I gave the exams and got my driving certificate. Here too I was late — while my friends had learnt how to drive cars by 16 I got my license at 20.”In Karthik Calling Karthik, my character initially lacks self-confidence. It is only after riding a bike that he gains confidence. He sees himself on a bike. That’s when I learnt to ride a bike. We got a cruiser bike, I got a learner’s license and every day for a month, would ride for a couple of hours close to midnight at the Bandra-Kurla complex with Zubin, a dear friend.”

I really look forward to a time when I can ride my bike again (co-producer and buddy Ritesh Sidhwani gifted it to him) but I do it at late night when roads are more clear. I love riding bikes now. Mom is also more relaxed as she knows I will never drive rashly.”

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Farhan Akhtar mobbed in Kanpur

Farhan Akhtar was mobbed at an awards function in Kanpur recently. As a result, the Rock On!! star had to be locked inside a room for over an hour till the crowds dispersed. The director-actor was attending the Madhavrao Scindia Awards ceremony where he was honoured for outstanding performance in cinema.

Says a source close to Farhan, “At the event there were intellectuals, industrialists and politicians. But the situation turned chaotic as there were many young people in the audience. They became quite excited after seeing Farhan and charged on to the stage.” Says Farhan, “There was a crowd but one manages to get over such things.

It was a novel situation, I haven’t been locked inside a room before!He points out, “It becomes more awkward at such events when I am asked to sing impromptu. After Rock On!! wherever I go, people expect me to break out in song and it’s hard to do that. ‘Kuch ek-do line gaa lijiye’ they say but I feel awkward to sing randomly like that. Fortunately, they didn’t ask me to sing in Kanpur.”

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