Farah Khan on not directing movies after Happy New Year: Found my own zone to work where I'm at ease

After Happy New Year (2014), Farah Khan Kunder hasn't directed any films. The choreographer-turned-filmmaker has given blockbusters as well as flops in her role as a director with Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Tees Maar Khan, and Happy New Year. During an interaction with the Times of India, Farah was asked the reason behind not directing any films for nearly eight years now.

She stated that today she's in a comfortable place. Farah hasn't made a movie in a while, but she has been busy doing shows, commercial acting, or directing. The ace choreographer has established her own workspace where she feels comfortable and can be as productive as she likes. Farah desired time with her children. The only time she genuinely relaxed, despite slowing down a little, was during the lockdown. As soon as it was over, she returned to work. It's an odd cycle; when one is pleased and joyful, they feel terrible about not working, and vice versa.

Farah doesn't accept 75% of the work that is given to her. When something interests her, she starts doing it. She never took a job just for money, not even when she was having trouble. From the beginning, the Main Hoon Na helmer was picky about the tunes and collaborators she would work with. 

Farah recalled that they were being flown to Goa, and up until that point, she had never been on an aeroplane. She recalls that this was one of the main reasons she worked on Jalwa (1987). Farah was getting paid Rs 300 a day at the time to dance behind Archana Puran Singh.

Turning down offers as a woman in the film industry must have been challenging, especially at that time period. Answering about it, Farah said that she doesn't believe anyone in the industry thought of her as a lady. She believed that everyone considered her to be one of the boys. There are occasions when she does wonder, "Ki kyun mana kiya maine?" But she also took great pride in the work she produced. 

Farah collaborated with a lot of talented directors, which only helped her get better with each song. She has also worked with between 40 and 50 first-time filmmakers, including Nikkhil Advani, Mukesh Chhabra, Farhan Akhtar, Sajid Khan, and Aditya Chopra. Her relationships with everyone have not changed. In fact, she has taken on a life of her own for them.

They wait for her to speak before expecting her to become irate or bugged on the set. They do love her, and it is something she has greatly deserved. They have a friendship with her now. The work she performs for any movie has worth, and she has a trope for humour. 

These days, Farah makes some incredibly bizarre reels because it is in her DNA to entertain, and she must proceed in a different way. Regarding her communication, it has been effective even when she has disagreed with someone for a variety of reasons. One becomes brazen and takes things seriously when they reach a certain age. However, there can never be enduring hostility.

Farah added that you run into someone, give them a hug, and move on. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, they all had disagreements and reconciled as well.