8 Farhan Akhtar roles that gave us lessons for a lifetime

Your loved one comes back to you, in the end – Daanish Ali, Wazir

The movie might not have made an impression on the box office, but in our hearts, Farhan’s character, Daanish Ali sure made an impact. Though there is no lesson that we could deduce from this thriller, but the taut plot and impeccable performance that Farhan gave as Daanish, stayed with us, and there was no way we could not mention it while mentioning his performances that awed us and gave us lessons. If only, his character in ‘Wazir’ taught us that though it is hard to keep a balance personal life and a profession as tough as serving the nation, it is not impossible, and can be done.

The true definition of Feminism, finally – Sunny Gill, Dil Dhadakne Do

Farhan had an extended cameo in the movie. But we are eternally grateful to him for playing the role of Sunny Gill, a journalist who finally cleared what ‘equal rights’ for a woman was. His one sentence with which he shut the obnoxious husband of Priyanka Chopra, played by Rahul Bose, where he said that the latter had no right to ‘allow’ Priyanka’s character to work, explained the term feminism to one and all, finally.

Don’t hurt your loved one for a temporary attraction – Siddharth Roy, Shaadi Ke Side Effects

This one was a light-hearted comedy and could be passed off, but the fact that Farhan played this kind of a role first time, we had to take this. Though in the guise of a comedy, this movie and Farhan’s role too taught us that there is nothing worse than going astray for a temporary respite, when you are going through a hard time in a permanent loving relationship. Farhan’s character, Siddharth, learns it the hard way, but eventually, realises his folly, and that’s what matters the most.

Don’t let adverse circumstances affect your destiny – Milkha Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

The sport star’s journey from a refugee of war to an eminent sports person is itself a life lesson. However, the intensity with which Farhan played the character of Milkha and brought him to life, showed us the side of man which made us think hard, that even people of that level lose their focus and make mistakes. But if there is one thing we learnt from Farhan as Milkha, it was to never ever give up, no matter how hard the circumstances. Go on and be persistent in your efforts, it will pay off.

Take life as it comes, laughing and smiling – Imraan Qureshi, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

His character of Imraan, the jester of the group of ‘Three Musketeers’ was someone you adore at one point, but get irked at too. However, the way Imraan’s character shapes up and grows throughout the movie, tugs at us too, and shows us how life has surprises and shocks in store for us, in equal measures. Imraan’s character taught us to laugh and smile, but then be mature enough to take life as it comes, and turn it in your favour. It also told us that some paths are better not trodden, like his quest to know his real father, in which he hurt his mother too, and the memory of his adoptive father.

Only your subconscious can guide you towards your better self – Karthik Narayan, Karthik Calling Karthik

Not many stars would have had the guts to play the role of Karthik Narayan, an introvert with an alter-ego which is nothing but his subconscious telling him to come out and be the confident man he is. His character was a finely educated young man burdened by the expectations of this world. Somehow, even though this was a psychological thriller, we also realise that ultimately we also do not need the call of a third person to shake us up, it is only our subconscious that leads our path.

Don’t let success reach your head – Vikram Jaisingh, Luck By Chance

A struggling actor, who eventually becomes a big star, at the cost of his friends. Viram Jaisingh was an anti-hero kind of character, and we are thankful that the movie did not have a hunky-dory kind of ending. His role taught us that success need not get to one’s head, and one can sustain it only with humbleness and subtlety, which Vikram lacked. Kudos to Farhan for bringing this out amazingly well.

Never give up on what you love – Aditya Shroff, Rock On!!

Farhan played the role of Aditya Shroff, the scion of a well-to-do family who rebelled against his family and excelled in what he loved. Agreed he went astray, giving in to the pressure, but he came back and found his happiness in ‘Magik’, at the end of it. Farhan, in his debut film itself gave us a performance to remember and ponder upon.