Like father, like son

You would think he has lyrics running through his veins. But Farhan Akhtar, who follows dad Javed Akhtar's example of turning judge for a talent hunt on the telly , says he's always nursed ambitions of becoming a dancer. Farhan will be seen as one of the three celebrity judges who will evaluate the 10 'mashhoor jodis' of TV as they dance their way through Nach Baliye on Star One from 11 October. Gone is the trademark hairband that hobbled Farhan's tresses; it's a sober Farhan who will examine steps, body language and grace and help in the process of eliminating left footed TV couples in favour of the winning duo. Telly Chakkar caught up with him for a tete a tete. After Karan Johar, you are the next director of the new generation who has taken on a new avatar on the small screen.... Yeah, I have had offers of having my own talk show, as well as for hosting a game show. But that was neither what I wanted to do, or needed to. Nach Baliye will allow me to be a part of something that's much larger, a talent hunt among TV couples as well as a scouting of talent among the choreographers. Will you be taking on a judging style similar to your dad's in Fame Gurukul? To be honest, I am not an avid TV viewer and haven't watched any of Fame Gurukul episodes, although I keep hearing about this show - perhaps because my dad is one of the judges! I am hoping though, that this show is an interactive one, and will allow me scope to bring in my own style. Which among these couples, do you think stands a chance of winning this competition? Frankly, the only one I know who dances well is Sachin - remember the Gapuchi Gapuchi Gam Gam days? As for the rest, I have worked with Parmeet Sethi in Lakshya, and I know some of the others too. Of course, I am hoping to be surprised by the rest too! And how exactly will you be judging them? I won't exactly be looking for technical perfection - I guess the other two judges will be doing that, but I will be looking out for the styling, the andaz, the body language, particularly the chemistry between the couples! In the 80s, when I was young, I used to hang out with Farah Khan's troupe which would rehearse in clubs in Mumbai. So I guess I have always been passionate about dance - in fact, the first time I met my wife was when she was in a club, dancing! Keeping with the trend of styling the look for judges on TV shows, will we see a different Farhan on Nach Baliye? Not really. I have quit the hairband for the time being, and am wearing my hair really short, though now it seems to be growing out again. I guess my look will really coincide with the look I am sporting in The Fakir, for which I am shooting currently