Dec 01: For a man so fond of speed, racing against time was probably a game that this Bollywood actor had no difficulty mastering. Only, three decades after he first pressed on the accelerator of his Bollywood career and zoomed out of the silver screen faster than most of his contemporaries, Feroz Khan is yet to show any signs of slowing down. His latest directorial venture, starring son Fardeen Khan, has just been released in Delhi and elsewhere. And not surprisingly, the last few days have been all about promotions and premieres for him. "I am sorry but I haven't slept for the last few days. I hope I am in my element to answer your queries well,'' he points out apologetically as we sit down for a "short and precise'' interview.
Tired he might be, but Feroz had a reason to be happy this Saturday. "The film has received amazing initials in most cities. The collections of the first two days have been very encouraging, more so considering we have a big film releasing at the same time. Considering "Kal Ho Na Ho'' has Shah Rukh Khan and is a Karan Johar film, it has been really a good beginning. Even in places like Dubai, the collections have been rather good,'' the senior Khan claimed.

Described by many as the East's Clint Eastwood, Feroz Khan continues to be a man of style, leaving son Fardeen far behind when it comes to making fashion statements. Making a comeback to acting after a long gap of ten years, Feroz accepts that he did not find any role exciting enough during the period and that the character of Saba Karim in "Janasheen'' was the reason for his return to the silver screen once again.
His latest too has a race, this time a bike race in one of the biggest racing tracks of the world. One that cost the director Rs. 3 crores. "I thought bike racing would appeal to the younger generation. Also, I thought it would be a good chance for Fardeen,'' says Feroz.
The film also took him back to a country he has loved capturing on celluloid before - Afghanistan. Much has changed since his last visit in the 1970s, but for the director's love for the place. "Hindi films were very popular there then, and in fact, continue to be so even today. I was invited by Prince Ahmed Shah to shoot my film there, but a week later there was a bloodless coup in the country and the Prince was made to leave. I wrote a letter to the new ruler saying I was proceeding as per my plans and felt good when told that I was more than welcome,'' remembers Feroz, adding in the same breath that "things are very different now. It is a war-torn country facing a lot of difficulties. I hope peace comes to the city soon.''