Farhan Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar (born 9 January 1974) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer, lyricist and television host, who works primarily in Bollywood. Born in Mumbai to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, he grew up under the influence of the film industry. After completing his schooling in Maneckji Cooper school, he studied a degree of commerce in HR College, Mumbai, before dropping out, and began his career in films by working as an assistant director in Lamhe (1991) and Himalay Putra (1997).

Akhtar, after establishing a production company named Excel Entertainment along with Ritesh Sidhwani, made his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and received critical acclaim for portraying modern youth. The film also won a National award. Following it, he made Lakshya (2004) and had his Hollywood debut through the soundtrack of Bride and Prejudice (2004), for which he wrote the lyrics. He had his first commercial success with Don (2006), though failing to receive critical acclaim for it. He directed a documentary titled Positive (2007) to spread awareness on HIV-AIDS.

He started his acting career with Rock on!! (2008), for which he won a second National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi as producer, and indulged in further experimentation before he acted in, produced and wrote the dialogues for the critical and commercial success Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which also won two National awards. In the same year, he directed a sequel to Don titled Don 2 (2011), which remains as his highest-grossing film till date. At present, he has been signed in for sports biopic film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag to portray Milkha Singh, an athlete. Off-films, he has conducted TV shows, appeared as a judge in beauty pageants and endorsed brands.