Farah Khan

Indian film director, choreographer and producer (born 1965)

Farah Khan (born 9 January 1965) is an Indian film director, choreographer, and producer who works primarily in Hindi cinema. She is known for choreographing over a hundred Bollywood songs and for directing commercially successful films such as Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om.

Farah Khan
Farah Khan
Full name Farah Khan Kunder
Born 9 January 1965
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality Indian
Profession Film Director, Choreographer, Producer
Years active 1992 – Present
Spouse Shirish Kunder (m. 2004)
Children Czar Kunder
Diva Kunder
Anya Kunder
Relatives Sajid Khan (brother)

Early Life and Family

Farah Khan was born in Mumbai to filmmaker Kamran Khan and Menaka Irani. She comes from a film-oriented family. Her mother is related to former child actors Honey Irani and Daisy Irani. She has one brother, Sajid Khan, who is also associated with the film industry.[1]

Growing up in a creative environment, Farah developed a strong interest in dance and cinema from an early age.[2]

Career

Choreography

Farah Khan began her career as a choreographer in the early 1990s. One of her early notable works was in the film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. She went on to choreograph songs in numerous successful films, including:

  • Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
  • Dil Se
  • Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
  • Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Her dance routines became widely popular for their scale and creativity. She has won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography multiple times.[3]

Farah also gained international recognition for her work in projects such as Monsoon Wedding, Bombay Dreams, and Vanity Fair. She received a Tony Award nomination for Best Choreographer for Bombay Dreams.[4]

Direction

Farah Khan made her directorial debut with Main Hoon Na (2004), produced by Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a major commercial success and earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director, making her one of the few women to receive the nomination.

She later directed:

  • Om Shanti Om (2007)
  • Tees Maar Khan (2010)
  • Happy New Year (2014)

Om Shanti Om was among the highest-grossing Hindi films at the time of its release.

International Projects

Farah Khan has worked on several international collaborations. She trained pop star Shakira for a Bollywood-style performance of “Hips Don't Lie” at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006. She has also been involved in global stage productions and film projects.

Personal Life

Farah Khan married filmmaker and editor Shirish Kunder on 9 December 2004. The couple has three children—son Czar and daughters Diva and Anya—born in 2008.

She has often spoken about balancing her professional career with motherhood.

Physical Appearance

  • Height: 5 feet 3 inches
  • Weight: Approximately 65 kg
  • Eye colour: Black
  • Hair colour: Brown

Awards and Recognition

Farah Khan has received several awards during her career, including:

  • Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Choreography
  • Filmfare nomination for Best Director for Main Hoon Na
  • International recognition including a Tony Award nomination

Legacy

Farah Khan is regarded as one of the most influential choreographers in Indian cinema. She successfully transitioned from choreography to film direction, establishing herself as a prominent filmmaker. Her large-scale song sequences and commercially successful films have contributed significantly to modern Bollywood entertainment.

References