Adhuna & Farhan Akhtar: There’s Something About the Akhtars

She is sensitive. He is funny. She stuns all with her very strong, distinct sense of style. He insists he has never had an off fashion moment. And never will. Together, Adhuna and Farhan make for one helluva power couple. And a rather stylish one, for sure! In a candid mood, they talk of falling in love, building a house, and of some crazy, some mushy memories they have made together.

Farhan’s deep, throaty voice can make you go weak in your knees in a second. And I am no teenager, mind you. Yet, I felt the magic.

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And Adhuna? Well, her fiercely independent sense of style, her totally flat stomach and a seriously fit body, at 46 and after two kids—please note, gave me an instant complex. She probably has a more toned, fitter body than most Bollywood A-list actresses. And her genuine concern for the well being of everyone around leaves you feeling touched. Together, they are like chalk and cheese. Or should we say chocolate and coffee, what with Farhan’s fascination for chocolate and Adhuna’s fetish for countless hot cuppas. They complete each other, yet they stand out on their own. Quite distinctly and powerfully indeed!

Romedy All the Way!

They are not the kind who need to display affection in public. “Because we have no point to prove”, says Farhan. “A hug in view of all, when you feel the impulsive need to do so is different. However, the need to prove that we are in love by showing a lot of physical affection in public goes down as you mature and as you spend more time together,” adds Adhuna. Don’t you get this wrong. Maturity does not equal boredom. They are crazy. Insanely funny is more like it. My interview recording had more giggles and cool stories, than statements. Those crazy things that Adhuna has done, like driving an auto-rickshaw around town, in the middle of the night, and of course those really smart one-liners, courtesy Farhan, leave you in throes of laughter. Their house is called Vipassana because the Vastu expert suggested to them that the name of their house should begin with the letters L and/or V, and Louis Vuitton was taken! So do they believe in and do Vipassana? Whenever they want to do Vipassana, they come home!

You see, it’s not difficult to see why this is one couple that rarely makes it to the glossies for gossip or faux-pas. Of course, because they are fiercely private and because most of the world loves them for who they are, but also because half the time Farhan keeps the world in splits. Too happy to react! And yes, the diplomacy. When asked to name an actor and actress he loved working with, he names all he has ever worked with, from Abhay Deol and Hrithik Roshan to Konkana Sen Sharma, from Purab Kohli and Arjun Rampal to Deepika Padukone. And when asked to name a woman whose style sense he adores, he dedicatedly mentions Adhuna. When we press him to talk about a stylish woman other than his wife, he mentions Shaakya and Akira (their daughters) with stronger conviction. Between everyone’s giggles, when we said it wasn’t a fair answer, he credited Kangna Ranaut for her effortless style, but concluded the discussion, raving about how stylish he really feels Adhuna is, and how it was her fantastic fashion presence, which had him chasing her. Awww… diplomatic but so, so sweet.

Fashion for Two

Have they impressed upon each other’s very individualistic style? “I don’t know how much impression of my style I’ve made on her,” Farhan said. He got an instant reaction from Adhuna, “You haven’t.” And then the room was consumed with a burst of hearty laughter.

“From the time I know Adhuna, she is extremely stylish,” says Farhan. “It is not necessarily about having to dress as per what fashion pundits think is trending. But she really has ‘her’ style that she confidently puts forward. And she keeps evolving. I find that very fascinating. I am not as experimental as her. She is clearly the more fashion forward amongst us.” But that doesn’t in anyway mean that he gives himself any less points on the fashion scale. Ask him about his best fashion moment and he says, “Now. Everyday. Every moment. Never do I feel that I am not looking good. Never. I always look amazing.”

Do they often buy for each other? “Not really,” they both say almost together, and then break into a chuckle again. She buys him ‘safe’ clothes like classic T-shirts and shorts, as anything beyond that goes into a maybe-maybe-not zone, she confesses. And he has been politely asked not to get her any clothes. “Yes, politely, with a gun held to my head,” he says. Adhuna laughs. “Well, it is better to be honest, isn’t it?” she asks with a smile.

They may not buy too much for each other, but they do borrow from each other. “I am constantly robbing him of his hats,” Adhuna tells us. And even though we didn’t ask Farhan what he picks from her wardrobe, he pipes in, “And what am I supposed to borrow from her wardrobe: skirts and gowns? I can’t pick skirts.” So what would he rather pick? “I borrow shades from her. And oh yes, I steal my hats back,” he says, in his trademark smirk mode.

Living the Dream, Every Day

Adhuna and Farhan have a beautiful sea-facing home, and it comes with a sweet little fairy tale. Adhuna shares, “When I first moved in with Farhan, we lived in a beautiful part of Bandra, and I never imagined that I would be able to own a sea view for life. We used to go to Bandstand a lot, especially when the kids were little and needed to walk. At that time I always used to eye this house. I could only see the first-floor area that looked spacious and overlooked the sea. I hoped to have a salon here someday.”

Then the time came when Farhan and Adhuna were looking for a property. Adhuna continues, “We bought an apartment. There was something about it that we couldn’t think of spending our entire life there. A few things went wrong, and there came a point when I had started complaining too much. Farhan got fed up and started looking for another house. I was out of the country at the time when he lined up five houses for me to see. He described them over the phone. The minute he said this house was available, I told him that now that I knew this house could be ours, I couldn’t look at anything else. I have dreamed of this house.”

Also, this house was used as an extra pad while shooting for Zindagi Na Milega Dobara, for meals, for the crew to hang out. That’s the first time Adhuna came into the house and told Farhan that she would love to get this house. “It feels very nice to have fulfilled such a lovely dream,” says Adhuna. “It’s special for the both of us.”

So who’s had a bigger say in doing up the house? “Adhuna worked closely with our interior designer, who is a friend, and I totally trusted her vision on interiors and decorations,” says Farhan. “My only request was to let me do the audio-visual stuff.” What about their favourite spot in the house. “The whole house!” says Adhuna. “We are really proud! I have spent sweat and blood and tears doing up every inch of the house.” Farhan adds, “We don’t believe in bling or unnecessary extravagance. Opulence is not our style. Mostly everything in the house is there for a function. A friend of Adhuna has painted a wall for us. And that is something that gives our house that arty touch, but otherwise, there’s a lot of glass and white in the house, and ample play of natural light.”

Luxuriously Together

They are not the kind to splurge on themselves impulsively, and they almost announce together that their most luxurious buy till date is most definitely their house. However, one luxury indulgence that Adhuna has had, comes with a very touching story. She narrates, “I had a car accident and my face was badly scarred. Someone suggested we get this cream from La Mer. It is very high-end and you didn’t find it here easily. So whenever Farhan would be travelling, he would pick this bottle up for me. This was one of the most expensive products I ever spent on, only for myself.”

What about something that they both don’t mind splurging on? “We both are quite hooked to cars,” says Adhuna. “Farhan drives a Mercedes and I have always had this fixation for a Mini Cooper. I don’t go anywhere without my Mini. It has a certain classic-ness to it, which I find very appealing. After going on and on about how I want this car, I finally got it recently and I love it.” When you’ve been together for close to two decades, surprising each other isn’t an easy task. Adhuna agrees. So what is the most thoughtful gift Farhan has ever surprised her with? “The biggest surprise Farhan gave me was when he gifted me a diamond ring on my 40th birthday. It’s not the kind of thing he does, buying jewellery on his own. So it was that much more special. When we got married, we didn’t have the money for a ring so when I did get it, it was worth cherishing.” And something thoughtful she did for Farhan? “In an interview, he had said that his ultimate guitar was Gibson. So on his birthday, I, along with Akira and Shaakya, gifted him one. He really loved it.” “But it doesn’t have to be about just cars and jewellery,” says Farhan. “Strange things make me flip. When I’m travelling, I dedicate a day to walking around and finding stuff that catches my eyes, to come back sometimes with just a porcelain tea set.” Adhuna adds, with a chuckle, “Farhan recently freaked out on this set of cutlery. It was really ergonomic to hold and very aesthetically made.” “The little things that look interesting and make you feel like a thought has gone into designing them, are the kind we like to splurge on,” says Farhan.

Having two lovely daughters to share their life with has only made the relationship stronger. “A sense of continuity came in after our first daughter was born. That there is something beyond you, that you have created, and that you are responsible for, makes you feel that much more committed to the relationship,” says Farhan. Adhuna couldn’t agree more. “As you spend more years together, you start doing things for each other’s happiness and the well being of your children. That’s what love becomes eventually.” Well said!

Style Résumé: Farhan Akhtar

The man who brought the Birkin bag into the consciousness of Indian women via his role in the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, talks about style…

Your personal style is…

Cutting edge (laughs). My sense of everyday clothes is simple. For events, I find the right people whose fashion aesthetic I can trust, who understand what I will be happy and at ease in. Then it all falls in place, whether they source or design. Arjun Bhasin and Govinda Mehta are some of the guys who have styled for me.

A fashion buy on your mind?

Redoing my entire formal wardrobe.

Your fashion fetish?

Sports shoes. I am most relaxed in them. A lot of my friends tell me that I must stop wearing them because they feel I am constantly wearing the same look. I think shoes do that for you. But they can keep complaining, I am not going to change.

One thing you always come back with, from a trip?

Movies. Going to a Blu-ray/ DVD shop to buy movies to add to my library is a must on every trip.

What do you think of jewellery for men?

I don’t think of jewellery for men.

An actor whose style sense you admire?

Saif for his super relaxed yet chic dressing.

Your favourite hairstyle?

I used to keep my hair really short because I didn’t know what to do with it. But Adhuna helps me tackle my difficult hair. In fact, I have experimented so much, thanks to her, that when I become bald, people will think that’s a look. When I don’t need to wear my hair in a certain way for continuity in a film, I like to stay with what she calls my fall-back look. It’s not short, not long. It’s a squarish kind of shape, dishevelled and textured, and very easy.

Your favourite film in terms of the look you sported?

The most fun was my role in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. I was playing someone close to who I am in real life and I got to wear the clothes I like to wear. But my portrayal of Milkha Singh has to be the most fulfilling. The styling was simple, but different, and that made it all the more exciting. It gave me an opportunity to wear clothes from another era. It was an all-time high to look into the mirror and find someone else to a serious extreme, looking back at you.

Style Résumé: Adhuna Akhtar

The woman who made hairstyle an inseparable part of the style lexicon of Bollywood films, lets us in on her personal style philosophy…

Your personal style is…

Guided by comfort. Also, I don’t follow the same style every day. The way I dress has to go with the mood I am in. I love to experiment.

One fashion trend you wish would make a comeback?

Bell-bottoms.

The watch you wear every day?

Usually my Chanel watch. Sometimes a Swatch.

The sunglasses you wear every day?

Vintage Givenchy.

Good lipstick for you is…

Difficult to come by. But I just bought a really nice red I love. And I’m tripping on really deep, rich purple for my lips.

One fashion buy that’s on your mind right now?

This really cool pair of black and white Chanel loafers I saw.

Who are your preferred Indian and global designers?

I love Sabya, Shahab Durazi, Payal Khandelwal. Globally, I love Victoria Beckham’s label, The Kooples, and stuff that is different.

One actress whose style sense you really appreciate?

Kangna. The thing about her is that it’s all different. There’s nothing generic about her. It’s unusual but spontaneous, and very versatile.

Your ultimate beauty purchase is…

A perfect mascara. I have short and very sparse eyelashes, and very sensitive eyes, so I have trouble finding that perfect mascara.

One beauty brand you will pick blindly from?

M·A·C and Benefit.

Your dream hair colour?

A deep rich purple.... The closest it has reached to perfection is from Fudge. Blueberry Hill is the name of the shade.

A hair-care brand you would blindly pick from?

Aveda.

One actress you have loved styling hair for?

Deepika Padukone.

Styling Isha Bhansali Anchored by Aakanksha Jain Hair Walter Dorairaj for b:blunt Salons and Academies Makeup For Adhuna: Pallavi Symons For Farhan: Swapnil Pathare Production Madmoth Production Location Courtesy Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai

Pictured: On Adhuna: Gown, AM:PM. Stilettos, Fendi. Watch, Dior. On Farhan: Shirt, blazer and trousers, all Troy Costa. Loafers, Christian Louboutin. On Farhan: Shirt, blazer, trousers and pocket square, all Troy Costa. Loafers, Tod’s. On Adhuna: Gown, Alpana and Neeraj. Ring, Ghanasingh Be True. “It was instant attraction for me. When I first met her, I didn’t know who she was or what she did, but I loved the way she looked. I was totally drawn in by her state, the way she was, the way she was dancing. It pulled me to her.” On Farhan: Shirt, Salvatore Ferragamo. Blazer and trousers, Corneliani. Pocket square and sneakers, Ermenegildo Zegna. On Adhuna: Dress, Fendi. Watch, Dior. Pumps, Salvatore Ferragamo. On Adhuna: Dress, Rajat Tangri. Ring, Ghanasingh Be True. On Farhan: Shirt, Dior. Waistcoat, Ermenegildo Zegna. On Adhuna: Dress, Fendi. On Farhan: Shirt, Salvatore Ferragamo. Blazer, Corneliani. Pocket square, Ermenegildo Zegna.

From the February 2014 issue of L’Officiel India.