Farhan Akhtar thinks anyone from the lower middle class can afford to visit Spain. We think he needs a quick education on certain harsh realities

An elated Farhan Akhtar also talks about comparisons with Dil Chahta Hai and why Zoya is being deemed as a better director...

Dil Chahta Hai was a cult. Many say Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara cannot match up to that because the film is not as realistic. How would you react to that?
I'd say ZNMD has very lifelike characters. The personalities of the protagonists in DCH and in this film are quite different because they're dealing with different issues.

I understand comparisons with Dil Chahta Hai, but eventually every film has something different to offer and I think ZNMD does complete justice to its theme.

But not everyone can afford to take a trip to Spain and expect to solve the problems of their lives in the process...
Well if you are saying that all the characters in the film are filthy rich, that isn't true. My character comes from a middle-class background and anyone from a lower-middle class background can afford a trip to Spain.

Wow. And here I thought Goa was their best bet. Also wasn't everyone pretty and perfect in the film unlike DCH. Don't you think it's our flaws that define us too?
People have connected with the characters in ZNMD. Nobody is perfect and everybody has issues. The only people who can help you deal with it are you, yourself and your friends.

As far as good-looking goes, I think Aamir and everyone in DCH were quite good looking. So you can't say that.

Do comparisons with your little sister Zoya bother you? Many say she is a better director...
I couldn't be happier for Zoya and I think she has made an excellent film. Everyone from me to Ritesh (Sidhwani) to Hrithik has wished good for her.

As for who is better than whom, you cant really say. I don't sit and make these comparisons. We are all here to do good work. Some films do well, some don't.

Since you seem to have achieved equal success as an actor and director, which one do you prefer?
Well it depends on my priorities at that point, now that ZNMD is done; I am putting all my energies into Don 2.

So now I won't be an actor, because my responsibilities are much bigger when I am spearheading a project.

Reality checkM
- The cheapest round trip ticket to Spain costs about Rs 30,000 to Rs 55,000.

- The annual income of a lower middle class family in India is nearly Rs 1,08,000 to Rs 2,40,000.

- So this means a family of four will have to spend at least a year's salary just to fly to Spain and come back, not to mention the other expenses.