Farhan Akhtar – Biography, Facts & Life Story
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Height, Weight & Physical Stats
| Body Measurements | 41-30-14 inches |
| Bodytype | Slim |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 68 kg (149 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Nickname | Farhan |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 50 years old (in 2024) |
| Date of Birth | 9 January 1974 |
| Full Name | Farhan Akhtar |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Singer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra India |
| Religion | Atheist |
| Published on | July 12, 2018 on 11:20 AM |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Farhan Akhtar is one of the most splendid Indian actors, producers, directors of this generation. He is one of the most underrated Bollywood icons. He wears many hats, such as director, producer, screenwriter, playback singer and even that of a television host. Being son to Indian screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, he was born to be the future icon of Indian film industry. He is known to have a funny sense of humor, and has done many comedic roles over the years. Farhan is especially praised for his role in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). He made his directorial debut in 2001, with the release of Dil Chahta Hai which starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna.
Farhan Akhtar initially established his directorial company named Excel Entertainment along with Ritesh Sidhwani. He later on went to direct Dil Chahta Hai and won National award for depicting modern youth in a positive light. Farhan has also a Hollywood songtrack to his name. In the movie, Bride and Prejudice it was Farhan who wrote the lyrics of the soundtrack. He also made Lakshya and made Don (2006) which was a commercial success.
Farhan Akhtar Professional Data
Dil Chahta Hai: In 1999, Farhan in company of Ritesh Sidhwani gave birth to a production company called Excel Entertainment, Pvt. Ltd. It was this company that produced Dil Chahta Hai, the directorial debut of Farhan Akhtar who was only 25 at the time. Not only his debut was critically acclaimed movie, it is one of those movies that Bollywood is quite proud of. It was the success of Dil Chahta Hai, that became the “turning point” in Farhan’s career as he calls it.
Lakhshya: Farhan’s next venture was Lakhshya (2004) which starred Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta in lead roles. Lakhshya was movie based on a lost youngster’s life, who discovers his true goal. Hrithik role transforms from an aimless young man into a disciplined army officer. Since the movie has a army theme, Farhan had to research quite a bit about the Indian army culture for the movie. The movie was filmed in Ladakh, Dehra Dun and Mumbai and it set off a series of collaborations between Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar.
Hollywood Soundtrack: Farhan also wrote the lyrics for the soundtrack of Hollywood film, Bride and Prejudice. Her sister Zoya Akhtar accompanied him on this task, on the recommendation of her father, Javed Akhtar.
Don: Another mighty milestone in the career of Farhan Akhtar was getting Shah Rukh Khan (the King of Bollywood) as the lead actor in his third movie, Don. While the movie was a remake of Don (1978) which starred Amitabh Bachchan. The movie, Don, became very popular and became an iconic movie holding the status of a remake. While the movie was commercially successful, Farhan did not mean for it to be “torchbearer of the remake brigade”.
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.: Following Don movie in 2007 was Farhan’s production Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., which was directed by Reema Kagti and starred Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani. Farhan was supposed to make his acting debut in place of Abhay Deol, but had to step back as his plate was full with the direction and production of Don.
Game: In 2011, Farhan led a project of drama thriller called Game which was directed by Abhinay Deol. The cast for the movie comprised of Abhishek Bachchan, Kangana Ranaut, Boman Irani. Farhan’s role in the movie was his writing of dialogues and production of the project. Unfortunately, the movie received strongly negative reviews and had pretty poor box office opening.
Acting Career
Rock On!!: In 2008, Farhan made his singing and acting debut in the movie, Rock On!!, for which he also wrote dialogues and covered production. He was accompanied in the lead roles by Arjun Rampal, Prachi Desai and Purab Kohli. In this movie, he played his favorite musical instrument guitar, which he is quite fond of and is a hobby to play. For the movie, he sang an collection of five songs for the movie’s soundtrack. Farhan Akhtar was quite praised for his singing role and acting talent. He also received several awards for his debut performance. Winning National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi was one of the iconic accolades.
Luck By Chance: Zoya Akhtar directorial debut, Luck By Chance, had Akhtar acting and producing the movie. The movie had an impeccable cast of Hrithik Roshan and Konkona Sen Sharma in the lead roles.
Karthik Calling Karthik: He also produced and acted in the lead role of Karthik Calling Karthik, which was a psychological thriller under the direction of Vijay Lalwani. Acting in the opposite role was Deepika Padukone. The movie received mixed reviews by the critics as well as press.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: After Karthik Calling Karthik, Farhan Akhtar produced her sister, Zoya Akhtar’s coming-of-age film, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Farhan starred as one of the three lead actors with Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin. Farhan’s character role was a funny person who as he described “a guy who for the longest time takes nothing seriously”. He also wrote dialogues for the movie and his did voice-over for his father’s poetry.
Don 2: He also directed and produced the Don movie sequel, which was not as iconic as the first movie.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: After Don 2, Farhan Akhtar had signed up for starring in the biopic of Milkha Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. For the preparation of his role in this movie, he had to undergo intense workouts and gym routine. He researched the body language and life story of Milkha Singh in detail. He had to have the look of a 17-year old army recruit.
Shaadi Ke Side Effects: In 2014, Akhtar starred in a comedy movie, Shaadi Ke Side Effects along with Vidya Balan. It was a film directed by Saket Chaudhary and produced by Pritish Nandy.
Dil Dhadakne Do: He did a supporting role in the movie, Dil Dhadakne Do, a movie being directed by her sister, Zoya Akhtar.
Gallery
Farhan Akhtar Education
Qualification: High School
School: Maneckji Cooper School, Mumbai
College: H.R. College of Commerce and Economics (he was dismissed from the college in 2nd year due to attendance shortage)
Farhan Akhtar Career
Profession: Actor, Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Singer
Known For: Toofaan
Debut:
As a Director: Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
As an Actor: Rock On!! (2008)
Net Worth: $15 million
Family & Relatives
Father: Javed Akhtar (lyricist and scriptwriter)
Mother: Honey Irani (Actress & screenwriter, Farhan’s mother by birth)
Shabana Azmi (stepmother)
Sister: Zoya Akhtar (elder, director & screenwriter)
Marital Status: Married
Married: Shibani Dandekar His wife Shibani Dandekar
No. of Children: 2
Daughter: Shakya Akhtar
Akira Akhtar
Past Relationships:
Adhuna Bhabani (m. 2000-2017)
FAQs
Who is Farhan Akhtar?
Farhan Akhtar is an Indian actor, producer, director, screenwriter, singer, born on 09 January, 1974 in Mumbai, Maharashtra India.
How old is Farhan Akhtar?
Farhan Akhtar is 50 years old as of December 2024.
How tall is Farhan Akhtar?
Farhan Akhtar is 5 feet 8 inches (1.75 m).