Farhan Akhtar : biography

Farhan Akhtar (born 9 January 1974) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer, lyricist and television host. Born in Mumbai to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, he grew up under the influence of the film industry. After completing his schooling in Maneckji Cooper school, he pursued a commerce degree in HR College, Mumbai, before dropping out, and beginning his career in films by working as an assistant director in Lamhe (1991) and Himalay Putra (1997).

Akhtar, after establishing a production company named Excel Entertainment along with Ritesh Sidhwani, made his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and received critical acclaim for portraying modern youth. The film also won a National award. Following it, he made Lakshya (2004) and had his Hollywood debut through the soundtrack of Bride and Prejudice (2004), for which he wrote the lyrics. He went on to make the immensely successful Don (2006), though failing to receive critical acclaim for it. He directed a short-film titled Positive (2007) to spread awareness on HIV-AIDS.

He started his acting career with Rock on!! (2008), for which he won a second National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi as producer, and indulged in further experimentation before he acted in, produced and wrote the dialogues for the critical and commercial success Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which also won two National awards. In the same year, he directed a sequel to Don titled Don 2 (2011), which remains as his highest-grossing film till date. At present, he has been signed in for sports biopic film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag to portray Milkha Singh, an athlete. Off-films, he has conducted TV shows, appeared as a judge in beauty pageants and endorsed brands.

Early life and background

Farhan Akhtar was born on 9 January 1974 in Mumbai to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani. He has an elder sister, writer–director Zoya Akhtar. Akthtar was brought up atheist. His parents divorced during his early days, and his father married Shabana Azmi in 1984. Akhtar has termed his parents as the "harshest" critics in his career, and also considered Robert De Niro as an "inspiration" in the film industry. Speaking about the influence of his parents on his childhood, he stated that "My parents have never pressurised me or Zoya. They have never poked any of us, saying your treatment is not correct or anything. They are happy that we have independently made a name for ourselves and are passionate about our work."

Akhtar is the grandson of Jan Nisar Akhtar, and the cousin of Farah Khan and Sajid Khan. He did his schooling in Maneckji Cooper school in Mumbai and went on to study a commerce degree in the HR College, also in Mumbai, during which he was dismissed from the institution in his second year due to lack of attendance. During the Mumbai riots of 1992 and 1993, Akhtar faced some controversy when he was perceived as a Muslim due to his name. He later described the event as the "worst moment" of his life. However, due to his lack of involvement in religion and liberal background, he was not radicalised. He married Adhuna Bhabani in 2000 after being in a relationship with her for 3 years. The couple have two children named Shakya and Akira.

Awards