FARHAN AKHTAR BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, MOVIES & FACTS

Farhan Akhtar, born 9 January 1974 in Mumbai, the director of Dil Chahta Hai and Don who became an actor-singer with Rock On!!.

Early Life

Farhan Akhtar is the son of screenwriters Javed Akhtar (father) and Honey Irani (mother). His sister Zoya Akhtar is a film director. He began as an assistant director, working on Yash Chopra's Lamhe at age 17 and later on Pankaj Parashar's Himalay Putra. In 1999, he co-founded Excel Entertainment with Ritesh Sidhwani.

Career as Director

Farhan Akhtar made his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), a coming-of-age cult classic that won the National Film Award for Best Hindi Film, plus Filmfare Awards for Best Film (Critics) and Best Screenplay. He later directed the war film Lakshya (2004), the action thriller Don (2006) and Don 2 (2011). For another leading actor profile from the Don films, see the Shah Rukh Khan biography.

Career as Actor and Singer

Farhan Akhtar made his acting debut with the musical drama Rock On!! (2008), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He also won a second National Film Award for Best Hindi Film as producer of the film. He sang his own songs in it, including Socha Hai, with music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Javed Akhtar. In Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), he starred, wrote the dialogues and produced the film, which won Filmfare Awards for Best Film, Best Supporting Actor and Best Dialogue. He played athlete Milkha Singh in the biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. His later acting work includes Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Wazir (2016), The Sky Is Pink (2019) and Toofaan (2021). For more on a co-star, see the Priyanka Chopra biography, and for another contemporary leading man, see the Hrithik Roshan biography.

Personal Life

Farhan Akhtar married Adhuna Bhabani in 2000 and divorced in 2017. They have two daughters, Shakya and Akira. He married Shibani Dandekar in 2022.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official T-Series video for Socha Hai from Rock On!! below.

FAQ

When was Farhan Akhtar born?
Farhan Akhtar was born on 9 January 1974 in Mumbai.

What was his directorial debut?
His directorial debut was Dil Chahta Hai, released in 2001.

Which film was his acting debut?
His acting debut was Rock On!!, released in 2008.

Which award did he win for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag?
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for playing Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.