‘Playing Pt. Ravi Shankar Is a Huge Responsibility’

Playing Pandit Ravi Shankar is not easy, finds Farhan Akhtar, who will be seen as the sitar superstar in Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-part biopic series, The Beatles.

Farhan, a guitarist in real life, is learning to play the sitar from scratch. And that’s only one part of his learning curve.

He intends to spend time with Pandit Ravi Shankar’s daughter Anoushka, a world-renowned sitarist herself, hoping to get good insights into his role.

Explains Farhan, “It is very important that I get this absolutely right. Playing Pandit Ravi Shankar is a huge responsibility, towards him, his family and his devotees. I want to do everything in my power to ensure it comes out right.”