Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has not only delivered numerous Bollywood blockbusters and chart-topping songs but has also frequently shared the story of her challenging beginnings. Losing her father young, living in a single-room house with her family, and having to work early to support them are experiences that profoundly shaped her. This background, as she recently revealed, helps her empathize with the struggles of industry outsiders, even as she confesses that financial insecurity still lingers despite her immense success.
In a candid conversation with Sania Mirza on the Serving It Up With Sania podcast, Farah delved into the deep-rooted impact of her early financial struggles. When asked if those hardships defined her, Farah was straightforward: “Till now, I’m insecure about money. For me, I need to be financially secure to relax, that’s the only insecurity I have. That drive to keep working is always there.” She noted that she is currently working even harder than during her primary career years. She attributes this enduring concern to her past, explaining, “We saw our dad go from being very rich to very poor, and for several years, we lived hand to mouth.”
This history of instability gives her a unique perspective on today’s culture of seeking a ‘struggle story.’ She observed that “Nowadays, everyone wants a struggle story. Even those who haven’t really struggled are trying to create one out of something weird. But I’m happy that my kids won’t have one.”
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Farah Khan Empathy For Outsiders
Farah’s insight into the challenges of the film industry’s entry-level hopefuls is clear. She fully grasps the resentment felt by some outsiders towards the children of established industry figures, often referred to as “nepo babies.”
“I can understand when people come from outside to Mumbai and have anger towards nepo babies. I can understand where that anger comes from, because they’re struggling to pay their rent every month,” she stated. For those facing basic survival challenges, she notes, the typical concerns of star kids “seem very frivolous.” Her own trajectory, however, is a testament to rising through genuine grit and talent.
Growing up, her family’s struggles spurred her on, but her passion for dance became her primary motivation. With no formal training or access to professional classes, Farah developed her skills entirely through self-learning, carefully observing and practicing from dance videos.
Farah khan Projects
Her career breakthrough came with the instantly recognizable and iconic song ‘Pehla Nasha’ from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992). This initial success opened the door to choreographing some of Bollywood’s most memorable tracks, including ‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena,’ ‘Sheila Ki Jawani,’ and ‘Desi Girl.’
Never content to remain solely a choreographer, Farah successfully transitioned into filmmaking. Her directorial debut, ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004), starring Shah Rukh Khan, was a massive hit. She followed this up with equally successful films like ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007) and ‘Happy New Year’ (2014), firmly establishing her as one of Bollywood’s most accomplished and versatile figures. Despite this towering success, her past experiences continue to shape her work ethic and her ability to empathize with the reality of others’ struggles.