Farhan Akhtar

Biography

Farhan Akhtar is a National Film Award-winning, six-time Filmfare Award-winning Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, playback singer, and producer celebrated as one of the most multi-talented and transformative visionaries in modern Bollywood. The son of legendary poet-screenwriter Javed Akhtar and screenwriter Honey Irani, Farhan made an explosive, revolutionary directorial debut at age 27 with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and permanently redefined contemporary urban Hindi cinema with its fresh dialogue, youthful aesthetics, and emotional maturity. He directed the war epic Lakshya (2004) and revitalized Indian action cinema writing and directing the stylish Don franchise (Don: The Chase Begins Again in 2006 and Don 2 in 2011, starring Shah Rukh Khan). Farhan made a sensational acting debut in the musical drama Rock On!! (2008), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He reached the pinnacle of acting acclaim portraying legendary Indian Olympian 'The Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's biographical sports drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), undergoing an astonishing physical transformation that swept the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. As co-founder of Excel Entertainment alongside Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan has produced acclaimed landmarks including Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Gully Boy, and Amazon Prime Video's Mirzapur and Made in Heaven. Farhan Akhtar is an essential pioneer of modern Indian entertainment.