In the vibrant world of Bollywood, where creativity often runs high, the long-standing friendship between choreographer-director Farah Khan and celebrated fashion designer Manish Malhotra has been forged in the fire of passionate artistic disagreements. The duo, who have been friends since the early 1990s, recently sat down for a candid conversation on Farah's channel, revealing a history of fiery arguments and dramatic walkouts that are now looked back upon with laughter.
The Genesis of a Creative Storm
Their journey began during a pivotal time in Hindi cinema. Farah Khan was rapidly ascending as a sought-after choreographer, while Manish Malhotra was cementing his reputation as the industry's most trusted costume designer. Their professional paths frequently crossed on numerous film sets, leading to a collaboration punctuated by loud, expressive, and now legendary creative fights.
Manish Malhotra kicked off the revelations by highlighting the stark difference in Farah's professional personas. "Farah, the choreographer and Farah, the director, are two different people," he stated, recalling how the choreographer Khan would often shout comments about the costumes. Farah laughed in agreement, admitting, "We have had many fights on set." Both were strong-willed creatives: Farah demanded freedom of movement for her dancers, while Manish fought for the integrity of his stylistic vision.
The Infamous Walkout and The Silent Treatment
One particular clash stands out in their shared history, a major argument during the shooting of the Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla starrer, 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani'. The conflict erupted on the set of Juhi's song, 'Banke Tera Jogi'.
Malhotra recounted the incident with vivid clarity: "One day, I got upset and I walked out of the set... Farah said, 'This grey kurta is not moving', and I said, 'You are always commenting'." This blunt critique from Farah was the final straw, prompting the usually composed designer to storm off, leaving the entire set in a state of shock.
Farah Khan added her perspective, looking directly into the camera as she confessed, "I remember you got really angry with me." She then revealed the dramatic aftermath: "He has not picked up my phone for two days." This was not an isolated incident. The two experienced another tense moment during the shoot of the hit Kareena Kapoor song 'Fevicol Se' from 'Dabangg 2'. Once again, Farah's actions led to Manish refusing her calls for a full two days.
Evolution of a Partnership: From Fights to Film Sets
Despite their creative differences, their professional respect for one another never wavered. Malhotra observed a significant shift in Khan's demeanor when she transitioned into a director. "As a director, she is a different person. She becomes so nice," he remarked.
Farah agreed with a smile, explaining the reason behind this change: "I know because I am happiest when I am directing and I feel like this is my team and my people." This evolution has allowed their collaboration to flourish beyond choreography. They have successfully joined forces on several films directed by Farah, including the blockbuster hits 'Main Hoon Na' and 'Om Shanti Om', where their combined genius created cinematic magic.
Their story is a testament to the fact that in the creative crucible of Bollywood, passionate clashes can ultimately forge a stronger, more enduring bond, turning past arguments into cherished memories shared with laughter.
