Farhan Akhtar is an actor who’s not only known for his acting but also known as a well-acclaimed singer, director, producer and writer. Not only in Bollywood, but Farhan Akhtar also established himself in Hollywood as a Lyricist. As a director in Dil Chahta Hai and as an actor in Rock On, Farhan Akhtar made his place in the industry and in people’s hearts.

Early Life

Born to renowned screenwriter, lyricist/poet, Javed Akhtar and screenwriter, Honey Irani, Farhan Akhtar came out to be a star in the glamour industry.

Farhan Akhtar went to Maneckji Cooper school. He enrolled himself in College/University, H.R. College of Commerce and Economics for a Law degree, but later dropped out and indulged himself in Bollywood. 

Personal Life

Farhan Akhtar met Adhuna Bhabani on the sets of Dil Chahta Hai during his directorial debut, which was also the debut film for Adhuna as a hairstylist. They got married in 2000 after being in a relationship for 3 years, and now have two beautiful daughters, Shakya and Akira. The couple divorced in 2016 completing their 16 years together.

Career

Farhan Akhtar, unlike other actors, started his career as an assistant director with movies like Lamhe and Himalaya Putra. His first movie as a director, Dil Chahta Hai was very well appreciated, critically acclaimed and liked by the youth. It also bagged a Nation Award and is still in the hearts of people. Dil Chahta Hai gave a kick start to Farhan Akhtar’s career. Then he back-to-back gave movies like Lakshya and Don 2. Later, he made a debut as an actor with again a youth-oriented and loved the movie, Rock On for which he was appreciated. From this movie, came out to be an amazing dialogue writer, singer and producer.

Filmography

Farhan Akhtar began his career in Bollywood with the movies Lamhe (1991) and Himalaya Putra, as an assistant director. In 1999, Farhan Akhtar founded a film production and distribution company along with childhood friend Ritesh Sidhwani. In 2001, Farhan Akhtar made his debut as a director for the well-praised and critically acclaimed movie, Dil Chahta Hai. The movie earned rave reviews from critics for an out-of-the-box approach to showcasing the thinking of youth and received a National award. Following Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar directed Lakshya, written by his father, Javed Akhtar with actor Hrithik Roshan in 2004. Farhan Akhtar then directed the remake of Amitabh Bachchan's famous classic, Don in 2006. He was critically acclaimed for his direction. After that, Farhan Akhtar produced Honeymoon Travels which did well at the box office. 

In 2008, Farhan Akhtar debuted in Rock On as an actor and received appreciation for his role. He hasn't only acted in the movie, but also produced it, wrote dialogues, and sang his songs for the movie. The movie came out to be a well critically acclaimed movie and gave a kick start to Farhan Akhtar’s acting career. The Film won the best feature film in Hindi at National Awards. Farhan Akhtar also hosted a celebrity TV show, Oye! It’s Friday!

After that, he was seen in many movies like Sister Zoya’s writing Debut, Luck by Chance.  Farhan Akhtar appeared in sister Zoya’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in one of the three lead roles and also wrote dialogues for the movie. The movie was a blockbuster and made ₹153 crores worldwide. It received two National awards, the Best Audiography and the Best Choreography. 

In 2011, Farhan Akhtar returned to the direction and directed the sequel of Don (2006), Don 2. The movie did well at the box office but got mixed reviews from critics. Khalid Mohammed said that "Throughout, you can’t help feeling that Farhan Akhtar could have made three far more valuable films out of the budget squandered on this thriller where cars are smashed as if they were tea cups."

Following Don 2, Farhan Akhtar starred in a biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. He played the lead role and had to undergo training at the gym and character study.

He wrote and produced Talaash: The Answer Lies Within and in 2013, he produced Fukrey. In 2014, he was seen in Shaadi Ke Side Effects, the sequel of Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006). In 2015, Farhan Akhtar appeared in a supporting role in his sister Zoya’s movie, Dil Dhadakne Do and produced Bangistan. Later, he produced Baar Baar Dekho in 2016. Also, he played the character of an Anti-Terrorist Squad officer in Wazir, a Bejoy Nambiar’s movie. In 2017, Farhan Akhtar produced Raees and Fukrey Returns.