Farhan Akhtar is leaving no stone unturned for his upcoming Hollywood debut. The actor is currently undergoing intense preparation for filmmaker Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-film project ‘The Beatles’, where he will reportedly portray legendary sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Apart from physical training, Farhan has now also begun learning the sitar to authentically step into the role of the globally celebrated musician.
Farhan Akhtar’s training under Purbayan Chatterjee ’s foundation
According to Mid-Day, reports suggest that Farhan is receiving guidance from acclaimed sitar player and composer Purbayan Chatterjee through his institution, Purbayan Arts and Artists Music Foundation (PAAMF). Interestingly, Chatterjee initially had no idea why Farhan suddenly wanted to learn the instrument. Recalling their first interaction, the musician revealed that the request came through a common connection.“My friend Anurag Rao, who is also associated with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, called me out of the blue and said, ‘Farhan wants to learn [the sitar] from you,’” Chatterjee shared. At that point, the actor was reportedly bound by a strict non-disclosure agreement regarding the project.
The secret behind Farhan Akhtar’s preparation
According to Chatterjee, details about the film were initially kept under wraps. “I asked why he wanted to learn it. At that point, Farhan was bound by an NDA, so they couldn’t get into the details,” he explained. It was only later that Farhan opened up about the role and his preparation process. “Farhan said, ‘There’s this role that I’m doing.’ So, we met and I gave him some tips,” Chatterjee recalled. The training sessions eventually became more structured as the actor began dedicating time to mastering the instrument.
Dedicated guidance for Farhan Akhtar’s busy schedule
Considering Farhan Akhtar’s packed work commitments, Chatterjee decided to ensure that the actor received regular supervision while practising. “My student Ruthvik Rao goes regularly to monitor his progress,” he revealed. Even with the ongoing sessions, Chatterjee remains closely involved in the actor’s learning process and often helps him remotely whenever needed.“Sometimes Farhan bhai calls or texts, saying, ‘Can you send me the tuning configuration for the strings? I have forgotten it,’” the sitarist shared. Praising the actor’s sincerity towards the craft, Chatterjee added, “I respect him, he is artistically inclined.”
Farhan Akhtar’s Hollywood debut creates buzz
Farhan Akhtar has consistently impressed audiences with films like ‘Rock On!!’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’. However, playing Pandit Ravi Shankar in ‘The Beatles’ marks an entirely new challenge for the actor. The upcoming global project directed by Sam Mendes is already generating massive attention worldwide, and Farhan’s involvement has added to the excitement among Indian audiences.With the actor now immersing himself in the world of classical music and sitar training, fans are eager to see how he transforms into one of India’s most celebrated musical legends on screen.
