Ace choreographer Farah Khan has proved time and again that talent matters, not size. ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’ is Bela Sehgal’s first film as a director. It also marks the acting debut of choreographer and director Farah Khan who features as the love interest of the 40-plus Boman Irani.

“I was so very perplexed when Bela approached me for this role. I was surprised how she could conceptualize this character for me. I must confess the film is exuberantly comic but it is equally emotional too. At times, you will experience fits of laughter and at some point of time tears will definitely roll down your cheeks. I opted for this role only because tears rolled down my cheeks while I was reading the climax,” says Farah.

Debuting at this age is like changing the trend of older ‘jodis’, isn’t it? “What do you mean at this age? I am still very young. Boman is like my father,” she says with a laugh. “Actually, we were the ones who went to Bela and told her to show our exact age. We wanted to look our age to give the perfect feel. After doing this film, I understood how difficult it is to face the camera. Yet, I would love to do the job of direction, choreography, as well as acting. But while choosing a role I would like to perform characters with a difference.”

“Debuting as an actor, I understand how insecure actors feel. They don’t know the details of what they have enacted or how much will be edited. Actors also want their performances to be the best and at times they would like to have a few more takes which they can’t do if the director’s happy with the shot they have already taken,” Farah adds.

Boman and Farah share great chemistry. “Boman acts the part of a lingerie salesman in the movie. I surely did not ask Boman to shop for lingerie for me. He has just been announcing that. I am a total family woman and I do not need a refusal to enter back home,” says Farah jokingly.

Not many know Farah is not romantic at all, “Well, I care for romance that is not over the top. Simple romance lies in going for dinner or an outing with your beloved; this signifies true love. Anyone going overboard and getting stars for you, sounds filmy to me. I like middle class romance. Also given the ethical values induced by my middle class mentality type mom, I can never think of romancing any man other than Shirish.”

But she is all praises for the film, “The film is a comedy and it has nothing vulgar at all. It is all fun-filled and is an entertaining film. I am sure everyone will enjoy the film. This is not an adult film. I will take my family and my little ones to the theaters to watch it.”

Farah is not open to kissing scenes. “I strictly told Bela that if she forces me to do kissing scenes I will walk out of the movie. I will never perform a kissing scene simply because I am not comfortable doing so. Also being a mother of three kids it will look so vulgar.”

We marvel though why the Bhansalis, brother and sister, seem so fond of having their heroes drape and then drop towels. “Yeah, I keep pondering over the towel mantra of Sanjay and Bela both. What’s more, I wonder why on earth Ranbir was not chosen for the towel uncovering sequence in ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’. I had to be happy with Boman,” says Farah.

Farah,who is a director herself, was comfortable taking orders from Bela. “I did obey Bela, but at times I would ask her if I could make some changes with respect to my dialogues or dresses. Itni liberty toh banti hain na bhai,” she says.

She reveals, “Sajid Khan passed horrible comments when I signed the film. He said, ‘Oh it is an international film… it will be shown on the roads and I am sure the roads are going to be empty when your film will be running.’ My mom was the first one to be shocked stating, ‘Why on earth are they signing you as a heroine?’ But today after watching the promos she is very happy and feels the film will create a traffic jam at the box office windows.”

Her career as a choreographer is also going well. “My success mantra is hard work. I believe in dedicating enough time to my profession. My item numbers that have gained popularity are merely because the steps are aesthetic. All my item numbers are very clean and attractive; I never like to use vulgar steps. While choreographing songs I always try to bring in steps with a difference. Also the credit goes to the stars who perform it meticulously. I have definitely come a long way. To fulfil my passion of turning a choreographer, I would hide and watch dance numbers on my neighbors’ television as we did not have enough money to buy even a television. I would watch the steps of stars and learn them for myself. My efforts are paying off, I suppose. I am a mother of three kids. I give them 65% of my time too. But while at work I concentrate on work only,” she says with a smile.

Farah is gaga over her daughters, “I feel a daughter is for you all your life, but a boy is yours until he gets a wife. I believe girls always support their blood. It is a proven fact that fights over property and money matters are created by sons. I am happy that I have my daughters too.”

All is now well with Shah Rukh Khan. “Yes, it is an established truth that Shah Rukh loves me a lot. Debuting at this age it is evident that I could not be pitted opposite Shah Rukh Khan. I cannot be a Simran a-la Kajol. I am actually happy to be working with Boman as he supported me a lot and we are a passable ‘jodi’. Undoubtedly, Shah Rukh and I have been good friends and we shall remain friends forever. The script of ‘Happy New Year’ is ready and we will begin the shoot soon,” says Farah.