The stylish heist film Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena (2005) celebrated its 20th anniversary on November 18. Known for its memorable music, sleek aesthetic, and a stellar ensemble cast including Fardeen Khan, Koena Mitra, Kay Kay Menon, Rohit Roy, Gulshan Grover—and most notably, the late Feroz Khan—the film also marked the directorial debut of Suparn S Varma. Starting his career as a journalist, Varma transitioned to writing before stepping behind the camera. His earlier work as a writer on Janasheen (2003), starring Fardeen Khan and directed by Feroz Khan, forged a strong bond between him and the legendary actor-filmmaker.
On this milestone, Suparn S Varma shared exclusive insights with Bollywood Hungama about his deep connection with Feroz Khan, revealing heartfelt memories and admiration.“He was my mentor and like an adopted son to me,” Varma recalled. “Many times, I asked Fardeen, ‘Why does your father love me so much?’ and Fardeen would just smile without answering!”
He continued, “Mr. Khan showed me immense love and respect. As a newcomer, I was treated in a way I could hardly believe. He was both a father figure and a true friend. Our conversations spanned life and filmmaking. What stood out most about Khan saab was the respect he gave to everyone. Despite being called a Casanova, every woman—regardless of age—was charmed by his genuine respect and reverence.
”Varma added, “His passion for his craft was absolute. He lived his music, his scripts, and embraced each day fully. He was unapologetically himself—direct, honest, with no pretenses or double standards. He was the most truthful person I’ve ever known, truly the last of his kind.” He concluded with emotion, “He taught me so much, and I miss him every single day. We shared incredible experiences, many of which I’ll keep to myself (smiles).” Stay tuned to know more about it only with us.
