Farah Khan Wiki, Age, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More

Farah Khan Kunder is an Indian film director, producer, writer, dancer, actress, and choreographer who predominantly works in Hindi films. She is known for directing films like ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004), ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007), and ‘Tees Maar Khan’ (2010).

Wiki/Biography

Farah Khan Kunder was born as ‘Farahdeeba Khan’ ^[1]The Times of India on Saturday, 9 January 1965 (age 58 years, as of 2023) in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn. She attended St. Teresa’s Convent School in Mumbai and later pursued sociology at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Farah is settled in Mumbai, India.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 3″

Weight (approx.): 65 kg

Hair Colour: Natural Black

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Family

Parents & Siblings

Farah Khan’s father, Kamran Khan, was a stuntman-turned-B-grade filmmaker and producer in Bollywood, and he passed away due to alcoholism when Farah was just 18 years old. ^[2]The Free Press Journal Farah’s mother, Menka Irani, is an Indian actress. Farah’s father was a Muslim, and her mother is a Parsi. Her parents parted ways when she was just 13 years old.

She has a younger brother named Sajid Khan, who is a comedian, actor, and film director.

Other Relatives

Farah Khan is the niece of Indian actress Daisy Irani and screenwriter Honey Irani.

She is the first maternal cousin of Indian actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and film director Zoya Akhtar (children of Honey Irani).

Farah is also related to the Indian screenplay writer K. K. Shukla (Daisy Irani’s husband), and screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar (Honey Irani’s ex-husband) ^[3]News18

Husband & Children

Farah Khan got married to her boyfriend and filmmaker Shirish Kunder on 9 December 2004. Farah Khan and Shirish Kunder had three wedding ceremonies. They first had a registered court marriage followed by a Muslim nikah (Muslim wedding) and a Hindu wedding as per South Indian rituals. Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan performed Farah’s Kanyadaan (giving away the bride) in the Hindu wedding ceremony. Shah Rukh is also Farah’s best friend. ^[4]Zee News

In 2008, the couple was blessed with triplets, a boy named Czar, and two girls, Diva, and Anya.

Relationships/Affairs

Farah Khan and Shirish Kunder started dating each other in 2004, during the shoot of Farah’s film ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004). Shirish was the editor of the film, and that is how they started to know each other. However, after their marriage, Farah wanted to run away as it was very difficult for her to adjust in the first year of their marriage. Shirish is eight years younger than Farah. ^[5]Hindustan Times

Religion

According to Farah Khan, she follows Islam, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism as her father was a Muslim, her husband is a Hindu, and her mother is a Parsi, respectively.

Career

Choreographer

In 1992, Farah Khan Kunder made her Bollywood choreography debut with the sports drama film ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander’ for which she choreographed the romantic song ‘Pehla Nasha.’ In 1995, she choreographed the song ‘Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane’ from the Hindi musical romance film ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.’

In 1998, she choreographed the song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ from the Hindi romantic thriller film ‘Dil Se..’ In the same year, Farah Khan was the dance choreographer of the Hindi musical romance film ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. In 2010, Farah choreographed the song ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ from the Hindi action comedy film ‘Dabangg.’ In 2012, she choreographed the songs “Ishq Wala Love” and “Radha” from the Hindi romantic comedy film ‘Student of the Year.’

Film Director

In 2004, Farah Khan made her Bollywood directorial and scriptwriting debut with the Hindi masala film ‘Main Hoon Na.’ She also made a special appearance in the song “Yeh Fizaein” during the end credits.

In 2007, she wrote and directed the Hindi masala film ‘Om Shanti Om.’

In 2010, Farah Khan directed the Hindi heist comedy film ‘Tees Maar Khan.’

In 2014, she wrote and directed the Hindi dance heist comedy film ‘Happy New Year.’

Film Actress

In 2012, Farah Khan made her Bollywood acting debut with the romantic comedy film ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’ in which she played the role of Shirin Fuggawala.

Television

In 2004, Farah Khan became the judge for season 1 of the Hindi singing reality show ‘Indian Idol,’ which was aired on Sony TV. She also judged seasons 4 and 7 in the years 2005-2006, and 2016-2017, respectively.

She judged seasons 4 and 7 in the years 2008, and 2015, respectively, of the Hindi celebrity dance reality TV series ‘Nach Baliye,’ which was aired on StarPlus.

In 2012, Farah became the judge for season 4 of the Hindi talent show series ‘India’s Got Talent,’ which aired on Colors TV.

In 2015, Farah started her own Indian television cookery show titled ‘Farah Ki Dawat,’ which aired on Colors TV. In the same year, she replaced Salman Khan and became the host of the reality show ‘Bigg Boss Halla Bol.’

In 2022, she hosted season 3 of the Indian comedy game show series ‘The Khatra’ (now known as ‘The Khatra Khatra Show’), which aired on Colors TV and the online streaming platform ‘Voot.’

Controversy

Trolled for hanging out with Vikas Bahl

In 2019, Farah Khan hosted a grand lunch at her house for some of her friends from the film fraternity like Hrithik Roshan, Sania Mirza, Kriti Sanon, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Diana Penty. The guest list also included the filmmaker Vikas Bahl, who was accused of sexual assault during the #MeToo movement. Farah posted a picture with all the guests on Instagram, which didn’t receive a positive response from the netizens. ^[6]The Economic Times

Farah Khan Invited Vikas Bahl To A Starry Sunday Lunch And The Internet Is Furious https://t.co/1rQm26eLYb pic.twitter.com/yJTrXJZz45

— NDTV Movies (@moviesndtv) July 15, 2019

Her followers on Instagram and Twitter started slamming her for hanging out with Vikas Bahl despite the charges against him. Some comments were like “After everything Vikas did, how could this bunch of people stand next to him?.” It was also said that Farah Khan supported Vikas Bahl because her brother Sajid Khan was also accused of sexual harassment.

Ha Aap To Meeto Wale Ko Support KAROGE hi. Aapka bhai bi jo hai uss me.

— Filmy Cricket Fan (@RRP61670553) July 11, 2019

Awards

Filmfare Award For Best Choreography

• In 1998, for the song ‘Dhol Bajne Laga’ from the film ‘Virasat’ (1997).

• In 1999, for the song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ from the film ‘Dil Se..’ (1998).

• In 2001, for the song ‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena’ from the film ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’ (2000).

• In 2002, for the song ‘Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan’ from the film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ (2001).

• In 2004, for the song ‘Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala’ from the film ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’ (2003).

• In 2011, for the song ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ from the film ‘Tees Maar Khan’ (2010).

• In 2021, for the song ‘Dil Bechara’ from the film ‘Dil Bechara’ (2020).
  

  Farah Khan with her Filmfare Award 2021 for Best Choreography for the film ‘Dil Bechara’ (2020)

National Film Award

• In 2003, Farah received the National Film Award at the 51st National Film Awards for Best Choreography for the song ‘Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala’ from the Hindi film ‘Koi… Mil Gaya’ (2003).
  

  Farah Khan receiving the National Film Awards for Best Choreography (2003) from the 11th president of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (left)

IIFA Awards

• In 2004, Farah won the Best Choreography Award for the film ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003).

• In 2005, she won the Best Debut Director Award for the film ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004).

• In 2003, she won the Best Choreography Award for the film ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004).

• In 2009, she won the Best Choreography Award for the film ‘Dostana’ (2008).

• In 2011, Farah won the Best Choreography Award for the film ‘Dabangg’ (2010).

Other Awards

• In 2013, Farah Khan received the ‘Stardust Searchlight Award for Best Actress’ for the film ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’ (2012).

• In 2015, Farah Khan received an award at the 21st Lions Gold Awards.

• In 2017, Farah received the ‘Popular Film Personality On TV Award’ at the Indian Television Academy Awards.
  

  Farah Khan with her Indian Television Academy Award (2017)

• In 2022, she received the ‘Pride of India’ Honour for her achievements and contribution to the field of entertainment at the Society Achievers Awards 2022.
  

  Farah Khan (centre) receiving the Pride of India Honour at the Society Achievers Awards 2022

• In 2022, she received the award for her contribution towards Indian cinema at the 5th Urja Awards presented by the Gravittus Foundation. ^[7]Gravittus Foundation
  

  Farah Khan (extreme left) receiving an award at the 5th Urja Awards 2022

Car Collection

Farah Khan owns a BMW 730Ld, a Mercedes-Benz GL 350, and a Mercedes-Benz S 350.

 

Net Worth

Farah Khan’s net worth is estimated to be around Rs. 75 crores; as of 2022. ^[8]ABP News

Favourites

• Food: Biryani, Sea-food

• Cuisine(s): Indian, Thai

• Actor(s): Shah Rukh Khan, Boman Irani

• Actress(es): Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

• Dancer: Govinda

• Travel Destination: London

• Comedian: Bhuvan Bam

• Singer: Sonu Nigam

• Book: ‘The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down’ by Haemin Sunim

• Fashion Designer: Manish Malhotra

Facts/Trivia

• In 2008, at the age of 43, she gave birth to her triplets through In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. ^[9]Hindustan Times

• In 1970, she was offered to play a child role in the film ‘Andaz’ (1971); however, her father denied the offer and decided that she would never act in films. ^[10]Doordarshan Sahyadri – YouTube

• In 1990, Farah Khan was assisting the Indian film director Mansoor Khan who had started filming the song ‘Pehla Nasha’ from the film ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992) in Ooty, India. Saroj Khan was the choreographer of the song; however, she didn’t show up for the shoot. Mansoor Khan knew that Farah also dances and choreographs TV ads, so he asked Farah to choreograph the entire song as he couldn’t afford to wait for Saroj Khan and waste his time and money. ^[11]Doordarshan Sahyadri – YouTube

• She always wanted to attend the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, but she couldn’t as she was not able to pay the fee for it.

• In 2004, Farah Khan was nominated for the Filmfare Best Director Award for the film ‘Main Hoon Na,’ becoming the second female director after Mira Nair to be nominated for the same. ^[12]The Times of India

• In 2007, Farah and her husband, Shirish Kunder, launched their own production company named Three’s Company Productions Private Limited. The company is named after their three children, Czar, Anya, and Diva. ^[13]The Economic Times

• In 2006, MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) invited Farah to New York to choreograph the Colombian singer Shakira for the Indian version of the song ‘Hips Don’t Lie.’ ^[14]India TV
  

  Farah Khan with the Colombian singer Shakira

• In 2012, Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan stopped talking to each other after Shah Rukh slapped Farah’s husband, Shirish Kunder, at a party hosted by Sanjay Dutt. However, they later patched up, and in an interview, Farah said that Shah Rukh once left one of his shoots in the middle to be with her when she was having a tough time emotionally. ^[15]India Today ^[16]The International Business Times

• In 2014, Shah Rukh Khan gifted Farah Khan a Mercedes-Benz GL 350 as a pre-release gift for her film ‘Happy New Year.’ ^[17]India Today

• In 2016, she made a cameo appearance in the Indian trilingual comedy horror film ‘Devi.’ ^[18]NDTV

• In 2017, Farah hosted a grand party at her residence in Mumbai to give the English singer Ed Sheeran a grand welcome in India. Many famous personalities of Bollywood like Shah Rukh Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Neha Dhupia, and Sara Ali Khan were invited to the party. ^[19]Vogue India
  

  Farah Khan with English singer Ed Sheeran (right)

• Her father invested all his savings into a Bollywood film ‘Aisa Bhi Hota Hai’ (1971), which turned out to be a major flop, and caused bankruptcy in the family. Due to the failure, Farah’s father started drinking alcohol, which caused major health issues, resulting in his death. According to Farah Khan, when her father passed away, the family was left with only Rs. 30. Indian film producer and screenwriter Salim Khan gave some money to Farah and her family to perform her father’s last rites. They also lived in a storeroom for six years at one of their relatives’ houses until they could afford to get a house for themselves. ^[20]The Indian Express ^[21]The Free Press Journal

• Farah loved dancing and used to dance a lot in her childhood days, and one day, she heard her father telling his close friend Dara Singh that he would allow Farah to dance once she grew old. She had to stop dancing for a few years because her father didn’t allow her; however, she continued to pursue her passion after her father passed away. ^[22]Doordarshan Sahyadri – YouTube

• She enrolled for a Major in sociology at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai; however, she was detained because of low attendance. Later, Farah had to complete her college degree through a sociology correspondence course. ^[23]TBIP – YouTube

• Farah didn’t like her birthname ‘Farahdeeba’ because her classmates used to tease her by calling her ‘dibba’ (a box), and that’s why she changed her name to just ‘Farah.’ ^[24]The Times of India

• She didn’t have any formal training in dancing in her early career days as she couldn’t afford it, and she learnt dancing by just watching dance videos of Michael Jackson. She considers him her biggest inspiration for dance.

• She never received any formal training in film direction, and she used to read and study books on the making of the film ‘Sholay’ (1975) in order to learn the technicalities of filmmaking. She considers the film ‘Sholay’ her biggest inspiration in film direction and also gives tribute to ‘Sholay’ in every film she directs. ^[25]Doordarshan Sahyadri – YouTube

• The inspiration for characters in the film ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004) was taken from the Nehru Nagar Housing Society in Mumbai, where Farah grew up. ^[26]Maniesh Paul – YouTube

• Farah loves cooking at home and often shares pictures of her cooking on social media.
  

  Farah Khan cooking at her home

• She loves dogs and often shares pictures of playing with her dog on social media.
  

  Farah Khan with her pet dog Smooch

• Farah has choreographed for many international projects like ‘Marigold: An Adventure in India’ (2007), ‘Monsoon Wedding’ (2001), ‘Bombay Dreams’ (2002), and Chinese films like ‘Perhaps Love’ (2005), and ‘Kung Fu Yoga’ (2017). ^[27]The Times of India
  

  Farah Khan (extreme left) on the shoot of ‘Kung Fu Yoga’ (2017)

• She is the second person to hold 7 Filmfare Awards for best choreography after Saroj Khan.

• Farah was the background dancer in many Bollywood film songs. Her first appearance was in the title song of the film ‘Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya’ (1981). ^[28]Filmfare

• Farah Khan has made special appearances and done cameos in many famous Hindi films like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998), ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003), ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007), ‘Khichdi: The Movie’ (2010), and ‘Student of the Year 2’ (2019).
  

  Farah Khan (left) in a still from the film ‘Khichdi- The Movie’ (2010)

• She earned Rs. 300 per day for being the background dancer in the film ‘Jalwa’ (1987). ^[29]Filmfare

• Farah is close friends with many famous personalities like Karan Johar, Rajkummar Rao, Geeta Kapur, Tabu, Sania Mirza, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rohit Shetty.
  

  Farah Khan with Indian filmmaker Karan Johar (right)

  

  Farah Khan with former Indian tennis player Sania Mirza (right)

  

  Farah Khan with Indian actress Tabu (left)

  

  Farah Khan with Indian actor Rajkummar Rao (right)

  

  Farah Khan with Indian choreographer Geeta Kapur

  

  Farah Khan with Indian filmmaker Rohit Shetty (left)

  

  Farah Khan with Indian actor Abhishek Bachchan (in yellow)

• She consumes alcohol and is often spotted drinking alcoholic beverages with friends at parties and outings.
  

  Farah Khan’s Facebook post about her wedding celebrations

• Farah Khan is known for her anger at the sets while shooting. In 2023, actor Zayed Khan claimed that Farah abused him and even threw her slippers at him during the shoot of ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004). ^[30]The Economic Times

• She is a travel enthusiast and often shares photos of her travel experiences on social media.
  

  Farah Khan on a vacation in Bangkok

• In 2021, she received the UAE Golden Visa for her contribution to Indian cinema. ^[31]The Times of India
  

  Farah Khan receiving her Golden Visa for UAE

• In 2021, Farah Khan raised Rs. 16 crores for Ayansh Madan, a child suffering from a rare genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). ^[32]The Times of India

• Had Farah not become a filmmaker, she would have been an architect.

• In 2023, Farah Khan visited the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and later posted a video of the occasion on her Instagram handle. However, the filmmaker was trolled as some of the netizens objected to her visit and commented “I thought she was Muslim” on her post. Farah responded to the troller with one word and said “So?.” ^[33]The Free Press Journal Another video of her struggling to walk and being guided through the crowd by her friends after seeking blessings of Lord Ganesha surfaced on the internet, leading to her getting brutally trolled. Reacting to this, Farah shared a post on Instagram, explaining the situation. ^[34]The Times of India
  

  Farah Khan’s Instagram post about her Lalbaugcha Raja pandal visit

  

• Farah Khan follows a non-vegetarian diet.

I’m sorry but I like being a non vegetarian. There are animals that eat meat and there are animals that eat plants. To co exist you need both. So I’m happy you are vegetarian and I’m happy to be non vegetarian. We balance each other out. 😊

— Farah Khan (@FarahKhanAli) August 1, 2020