Farhan Akhtar : A new sensation in Bollywood

Personal life

Farhan Akhtar was born on January 9, 1974, to screenwriters, Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, in Mumbai, where he did his schooling from 'Maneckji Cooper School', Vile Parle, and later joined H.R. College, for a degree in Commerce, though he left it, in the second year. His stepmother is the actress Shabana Azmi. He is also the grandson of Urdu poet Jan Nisar Akhtar and the cousin of Bollywood film director and dance choreographer Farah Khan. His sister, Zoya Akhtar, is also turning director with a film that is currently under production titled LUCK BY CHANCE. Farhan Akhtar is married to hairstylist Adhuna Akhtar. The couple have two children Shakya and Akira.

Career

Farhan Akhtar started his career by working as an apprentice with cinematographer-director, Manmohan Singh at age 17, for films like Lamhe (1991); before going on to assist director, Pankaj Parashar in film Himalayputra (1997), followed by working in a Television production house for three years, doing various jobs.

He made his writing and directorial debut in Hindi cinema with the 2001-hit, Dil Chahta Hai, produced by Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., a production company he co-established along with Ritesh Sidwani in 1999. The movie told the story of three friends (played by Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna), recently graduated from college and dealing with issues of love and friendship. It was a critical and commercial success, especially popular among the younger generation. It earned quite a few nominations at various award shows, including for Best Screenplay, Direction and Film. It won that year's National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Akhtar then moved onto his next project, Lakshya (2004), a movie about an aimless youngster finally setting a goal for himself, starring Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta. Though the movie did not do as well at the box-office, it won him much critical acclaim. The script of the movie was authored by his father Javed Akhtar. Meanwhile he also wrote lyrics for Gurinder Chadha's 2004 Hollywood film, Bride and Prejudice.

He then directed a remake of the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan film, Don titled Don - The Chase Begins Again which starred Shahrukh Khan in the title role. The film released on 20 October 2006. Though the movie was critically hammered, it proved to be a decent success at the box office. In 2007 he produced the film Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. which also did well at the box office.

In 2007, he directed, Positive, a 12-minute short film on HIV stigma and the need for family support for the patient, shot in Mumbai, it was part of 'AIDS JaaGo' (AIDS Awake), a series of four short films, directed by Mira Nair, Santosh Sivan, Vishal Bhardwaj and Farhan Akhtar, in a joint initiative of Mira Nair 's Mirabai Films, voluntary organisations Avahan and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The film stars, Boman Irani, Shabana Azmi and a debutant actor, Arjun Mathur.The film is really thought stirring.

In 2008, Farhan made his acting debut in Rock On!!.This was one groundbreaking cinema. It was critically acclaimed as well as a box office blockbuster.

He has appeared as a judge on a few shows on television, including the first season of the dance-reality show, Nach Baliye (2005), and the beauty pageant, Femina Miss India (in 2002).

According to Bollywood analysts, the song Sindbad the Sailor in Rock On!! showcased the latent powerhouse acting talent of Farhan[citation needed]. Farhan Akhtar was invited by Salim Khan at his residence. Salim Khan was so impressed with Farhan's acting skills that salim awarded him with one of Filmfare award he had received in his time.

Since 12 December 2008, Farhan is a TV host on NDTV Imagine with his show: Oye! It's Friday!

Filmography

Director
* Positive (2007)
* Don - The Chase Begins Again (2006)
* Lakshya (2004)
* Dil Chahta Hai (2001

Actor
* The Fakir of Venice (2007) [8]
* Rock On (2008) as Aditya Shroff
* Luck by Chance (in-production) as Vikram Jai Singh
* Kartik Calling Kartik (in production)

Producer
* Kartik Calling Kartik (in production)
* Luck by Chance (2008)
* Rock On !! (2008)
* Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2006)
* Don - The Chase Begins Again (2006)

Writer
* Luck by Chance (2008)
* Don - The Chase Begins Again (2006)
* Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Lyricist
* Bride and Prejudice

Singer
* Rock on !! (2008)