Working...
Born in 1974 to prolific Indian film writers, Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, Farhan has been exposed to films ever since he was a child. Growing up in an environment where creativity and originality of thought were encouraged and harnessed, it was only a matter of time before he decided to become a filmmaker.
Starting at the age of 17, he worked as an apprentice with cinematographer Manmohan Singh, before assisting filmmaker Pankaj Parashar, and then worked three years in a Television production house, Script Shop. These years were spent performing varied roles on different projects. Production Manager, Post Production Supervisor, Editor, Copywriter and Corporate Film Director.
Farhan teamed up with Ritesh Sidhwani in 1999 and started work on his first feature film project. Debuting with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), a film that would affect a generation of filmmakers to come, Farhan was lauded for his honest, path-breaking writing and extracting mature performances from the cast. He was bestowed the prestigious National Award for “ Best Hindi Feature Film” for this film, at the hands of the President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam.
Now, Years later he is looked upon as the leader of a new sensibility that has taken hold of the Popular conscience in Indian Film.
He is married and has two daughters. He lives in Bombay, India.
Filmography
Films
* Lamhe (1991): Assistant Cinematographer to Manmohan Singh.
* Himalayputra (1997): Assistant Director to Pankaj Parashar
* Lagaan (2001): Co-writer (Lyrics)
* Dil Chahta Hai (2001): Story, Screenplay, Dialogues & Director
* Bride and Prejudice (2004): Co-writer (Lyrics)
* Lakshya (2004): Producer and Director
* Don (2006): Writer, Producer and Director
* Fakir of Venice (2007): Actor
* Honey Moon Travels (2007): Producer
* Positive (2007): Co-writer, Director & Producer
* Rock On!! (2008): Dialogues, Actor & Producer
* Luck by Chance (2008): Actor & Producer
* A Voice from the Sky (2008): Co-writer, Director & Producer
Television
* Breathless (1998): Producer and Director. Music Video performed by Shankar Mahadevan
* Price of Bullets (1999): Producer and Director. Music Video performed by Pentagram.
* Slice TV commercial (2002): Producer and Director