Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 9, 1974 |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, producer, Singer and Screenwriter |
Farhan Akhtar (Hindi: फ़र्हान अख़्तर, Urdu: فرحان اختر, IPA: [fəɾhaːn əxt̪əɾ]) (born January 9, 1974), is an Indian film writer-director-actor-playback singer and producer. His directorial debut (Dil Chahta Hai, 2001) was highly praised and he has since been noted for his cult following. He made his acting and singing debut in Rock On!! (2008).
Career
Akhtar made his writing and directorial debut in Hindi cinema with the 2001-hit, Dil Chahta Hai. The movie told the story of three friends (played by Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna), recently graduated from college and dealing with issues of love and friendship. It was a critical and commercial success, especially popular among the younger generation, and many rate it as one of the greatest movies ever made in Bollywood. It earned quite a few nominations at various award shows, including for Best Screenplay, Direction and Film. It won that year's National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Akhtar then moved onto his next project, Lakshya (2004), a movie about an aimless youngster finally setting a goal for himself, starring Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta. Though the movie did not do as well at the box-office, it won him much critical acclaim. The script of the movie was authored by his father Javed Akhtar.
He then directed a remake of the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan film, Don titled Don - The Chase Begins Again which starred Shahrukh Khan in the title role. The film released on 20 October 2006 and was a huge success at the box office. In 2007 he produced the film Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. which also did well at the box office.
Recently Farhan made his acting debut in Rock On!!.
He has appeared as a judge on a few shows on television, including the first season of the dance-reality show, Nach Baliye (2005), and the beauty pageant, Femina Miss India (in 2002).
Personal life
Farhan Akhtar is married to hairstylist Adhuna Akhtar (nee Bhabhani). The couple has two children Shakya and Akira.
He is the son of well-known scriptwriter, poet, and lyricist Javed Akhtar and renowned screenplay writer Honey Irani; his stepmother is the actress Shabana Azmi. He is also the grandson of Urdu poet Jan Nisar Akhtar and the cousin of Bollywood film director and dance choreographer Farah Khan. His sister, Zoya Akhtar, is also turning director with a film that is currently under production titled Kismat Talkies.
Filmography
Director
- A Voice from the Sky (2008)
- Positive (2007)
- Don - The Chase Begins Again (2006)
- Lakshya (2004)
- Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Producer
Writer
Actor
Singer
Awards
- Filmfare Best Director
- 2002 - Nominated (Dil Chahta Hai)
- 2004 - Nominated (Lakshya)
- Filmfare Best Screenplay
- 2002 - Won (Dil Chahta Hai)