Farhan Akhtar - Early Life and Background

Early Life and Background

Farhan Akhtar was born on 9 January 1974 in Mumbai to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani. Akhtar's sister is writer–director Zoya Akhtar. His parents divorced during his early days, and his father married Shabana Azmi in 1984. Akhtar has termed his parents as the "harshest" critics in his career, and also considered Robert De Niro as an "inspiration" in the film industry. Speaking about the influence of his parents on his childhood, he stated that "My parents have never pressurised me or Zoya. They have never poked any of us, saying your treatment is not correct or anything. They are happy that we have independently made a name for ourselves and are passionate about our work."

Akhtar is the grandson of Jan Nisar Akhtar, the cousin of Farah Khan and Sajid Khan. He did his schooling in Maneckji Cooper school in Mumbai and went on to study a commerce degree in the HR College, also in Mumbai, during which he was dismissed from the institution in his second year due to lack of attendance. During the Bombay riots of 1992 and 1993, Akhtar faced some controversy when he was perceived as a Muslim due to his name. He later described the event as the "worst moment" of his life. However, due to his lack of involvement in religion and liberal background, he was not radicalised. He married Adhuna Bhabani in 2000 after being in a relationship with her for 3 years. The couple have two children named Shakya and Akira.