Farhan Akhtar gets emotional on Indian Idol 16, shares Lakshya was written to inspire young people to join the Indian Army

Farhan Akhtar at Indian Idol 16

This weekend on Indian Idol, the celebration of Farhan Akhtar’s 25-year journey in cinema turned unexpectedly heartfelt.

The emotional moment began when contestant Shreenidhi sang a stirring number from Farhan’s film Lakshya, immediately capturing the hearts of the judges and audience alike.

The performance set the stage for a deeply personal conversation, revealing the inspiration behind one of Farhan’s most meaningful films.

After the applause, Badshah asked a thoughtful question: “Did you make this film only because of its entertainment value? Or was it also driven by the feeling that you wanted to do something for them?”

Farhan’s response left the studio in a hushed silence.

He shared, “There are two aspects to this question. Patriotism is something we are all born with. When you watch your parents — the work they do, the way they love their country — it becomes a part of you. And I believe patriotism is something you don’t need to shout about. It’s a feeling with which you live your life honestly and with hard work — for your country.”

He then recounted the personal story that inspired Lakshya. “This film was made around the time Operation Vijay happened in 1999. My father went to Kargil in 2001. There is a memorial there for the soldiers. An officer told him, ‘People are praising the Indian Army for achieving the impossible in these mountains.’ And it’s true — very few armies in the world can do what they did.”

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But what truly sparked the film’s story was the conversation that followed. “The officer also said something sad: 'Every year, fewer young people apply to become officers. It no longer feels like a viable career option to them.' He shared this with my father, and my father told him, ‘I want to write a story to inspire young people to join the Indian Army.’ That’s how this story was written.”

Farhan went on to reflect on how that experience shaped his approach to filmmaking. “After that experience, whatever choices I made — whether Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, or now 120 Bahadur — I felt cinema has the power to send a message: respect your freedom. Love it. And never forget the price at which it came.”

Farhan Akhtar is currently gearing up for his next film 120 Bahadur. The film will release in theatres on 21st November.