Farah Khan Kunder (née Khan; born 9 January 1965) is an Indian film director, choreographer, dancer, writer, producer, and actress who works primarily in Hindi cinema. As a film director, Khan made her debut with the commercially successful Main Hoon Na (2004), followed by Om Shanti Om (2007), both of which earned her nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. She later directed Tees Maar Khan (2010) and the ensemble heist musical Happy New Year (2014). She has choreographed more than a hundred songs in over 80 films, and has won the National Film Award for Best Choreography along with seven Filmfare Awards.
Khan has also worked in Telugu cinema & Tamil cinema and international projects, including Monsoon Wedding (2001), Bombay Dreams (2002), Vanity Fair (2004), Marigold: An Adventure in India (2007), the Chinese film Perhaps Love (2005), and Kung Fu Yoga (2017). Her work has earned her nominations at the Tony Awards and the Golden Horse Awards.
Early life and personal life
Farah Khan was born on 9 January 1965. Her father, Kamran Khan, was a stuntman-turned-filmmaker. Her mother, Menaka Irani, was the sister of former child actors Honey Irani and Daisy Irani. Farah is thus a first cousin of film personalities Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar (children of Honey Irani). She has one brother, Sajid Khan, who is a comedian, actor and film director.
Farah Khan married Shirish Kunder, the editor of her directorial debut Main Hoon Na (2004), on 9 December 2004. They have since worked together on each other's films, such as Jaan-E-Mann (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007), and Tees Maar Khan (2010). Khan gave birth to triplets — one son and two daughters — in 2008 through in vitro fertilisation.
Career
Choreography career Khan was studying sociology in St. Xavier's College, Bombay when the music video of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was released. According to Khan, she was so inspired by the song, that although she hadn't danced before that, it soon became her vocation. She learned to dance on her own, and set up a dance group. When the choreographer Saroj Khan walked out of the film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Khan took over. This was followed by her role in choreographing numerous iconic dance numbers over the years. She met actor Shahrukh Khan on the sets of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994) and the two have since become good friends and began their collaborative journey. She is the recipient of seven Filmfare Awards for Best Choreography.
In 2013, she also choreographed "Jumping Jhapak", the official anthem for 2013 Indian Premier League.
Khan also collaborated on several international projects such as Monsoon Wedding (2001), Bombay Dreams (2002) and Vanity Fair (2004), receiving a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Choreography for Bombay Dreams, alongside Anthony van Laast. Khan trained Colombian pop star Shakira for a Bollywood version of her song "Hips Don't Lie" for the MTV Video Music Awards on 31 August 2006. Khan has also choreographed Kylie Minogue for the song "Chiggy Wiggy" in the 2009 film Blue.
Directorial debut and breakthrough (2004–2007) In 2004, Khan ventured into direction with the masala film Main Hoon Na (2004), starring Shahrukh Khan and Sushmita Sen in lead roles, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. The film received positive reviews upon release, and emerged as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year, only surpassed by another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Veer-Zaara. It earned Khan her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director, thus becoming the second female director to be nominated for the award.
She followed it up with the reincarnation melodrama Om Shanti Om (2007), again starring Shahrukh Khan, alongside debutante Deepika Padukone in lead roles. The film received positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, in addition to becoming the highest-grossing Indian film ever at the time of its release. The film earned Khan her second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director, thus becoming the first female director to be nominated for the award twice.
Challenges, acting debut and directorial resurgence (2010–present) Her next directorial venture was the comedy Tees Maar Khan, starring Akshay Kumar, Akshaye Khanna and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. Despite hype, the film was panned by critics upon release, but emerged as a modest commercial success at the box-office. Primarily remembered for Kaif's iconic dance number "Sheila Ki Jawani", also choreographed by Khan, it later gained cult status and is now vastly remembered for Khanna's performance.
She then made her acting debut alongside Boman Irani in the romantic comedy Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2012), directed by Bela Bhansali Sehgal, the sister of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews upon release, but emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office.
Her next directorial venture was the dance heist comedy Happy New Year (2014), reteaming with Shahrukh Khan and Padukone 7 years after Om Shanti Om. She had initially announced to direct the film in 2005 and it was supposed to be Padukone's Hindi film debut, but was shelved due to multiple delays and cast changes that occurred over a number of years. The project was again reported as being in the works as of 2012. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, but emerged as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year.
In April 2024, Khan started posting cooking vlogs featuring her cook Dilip, which have since become widely popular. She has three million subscribers on her YouTube channel.
Television and production career She hosted the celebrity chat show Tere Mere Beach Mein and was a judge on the reality television series Indian Idol – first and second season, Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star, Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and Dance India Dance Li'l Masters. She also judged dance reality show Just Dance alongside Hrithik Roshan and Vaibhavi Merchant on Star Plus.
In 2015, Khan replaced Salman Khan and hosted the reality show Bigg Boss Halla Bol, the spin-off of Bigg Boss season 8.
Khan and her husband have started a production company called "Three's Company" named in honor of their triplets.
Filmography
Film Year Title Actress Director Producer Script Writer Role 1987Jalwa Dancer in the "Feeling Hot Hot" song 1998Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Woman on the Neelam show/ college student who makes fun of Anjali2003Kal Ho Naa Ho One of the customers that come to the restaurant after its renovation2004Main Hoon Na Herself (special appearance in song "Yeh Fizaein" during the end credits)Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Director 2007 Om Shanti Om An extra who has a spat with Om Prakash Makhija /Herself (special appearance during the end credits)Nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Director 2010Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai Herself2010Tees Maar Khan Cameo in the end credits2010Khichdi: The Movie Herself (cameo)2012Joker Herself (special appearance)Producer2012Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi Shirin Fugawala2012Student of the Year Cameo in "Disco Song" as a judge2014Happy New Year Cameo in the end credits2016Devi Herself (guest appearance); multilingual film2019Student of the Year 2 Cameo in "The Jawaani Song" as a judge2020 Mrs. Serial Killer 2023 Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan Cameo2026Toaster Nandini
Choreography Year Films Notes 1986 Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya 1992 Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar Angaar 1993 Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa Waqt Hamara Hai Pehla Nasha Chandra Mukhi 1942: A Love Story 1994 Aatish: Feel the Fire 1995 Zamaana Deewana Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India Aazmayish Takkar Sisindri Telugu film Hum Dono Barsaat Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Ram Shastra 1996 English Babu Desi Mem 1997 Virasat Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Dhol Bajne Laga" Border Yes Boss Iruvar Tamil film Yeshwant Dil To Pagal Hai Uff! Yeh Mohabbat 1998 Keemat: They Are Back Duplicate Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai Angaaray Saat Rang Ke Sapne Dil Se.. Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Chaiyya Chaiyya" Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate Minsara Kanavu Tamil film 1999 Sirf Tum Ravoyi chandamamaTelugu film Laawaris Silsila Hai Pyar Ka Sarfarosh Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya Baadshah Mast 2000 Alai Payuthey Tamil film Mela Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Ek Pal Ka Jeena" Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Pukar Hum To Mohabbat Karega Josh Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega Fiza Mohabbatein 2001 Dil Chahta Hai Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan" Monsoon Wedding Asoka Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham One 2 Ka 4 2002 Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam Maine Dil Tujhko Diya Shakti : The Power Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe Santosham Telugu film Bombay Dreams Nominated: Tony Award for Best Choreography 2003 Confidence Armaan Supari Koi... Mil Gaya National Film Award for Best Choreography for the song "Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala" Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala" Wonderland Kal Ho Naa Ho Chalte Chalte 2004 Main Hoon Na Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Vanity Fair 2005 Kaal Paheli Perhaps Love Golden Horse Award for Best Action Choreography Bluffmaster Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya 2006 Krrish Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Baabul Jaan-E-Mann: Let's Fall in Love... Again Don - The Chase Begins Again Zindaggi Rocks Heyy Babyy 2007 Marigold: An Adventure in India Om Shanti Om My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves Welcome 2008 Dostana 2009 Billu Main Aur Mrs Khanna Blue 2010 My Name Is Khan Dabangg Song "Munni Badnaam Hui" Tees Maar Khan Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Sheila Ki Jawani" 2011 Delhi Belly Song "Jaa Chudail" 2012 Housefull 2 Song "Anarkali Disco Chali" Nanban Tamil film; Song "Irukaanaa" Student of the Year Song "Ishq Wala Love" and "Radha" Dabangg 2 Song "Fevicol Se"2013 Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Song "Ghagra"Chennai Express Song "Titli"Himmatwala2014Happy New Year2015Dilwale Song "Gerua"2016Sultan2017Kung Fu Yoga Rangoon2018 Dhadak Song "Zingaat" Veere Di Wedding 2019 Housefull 4 Song "Ek Chumma" Student of the Year 2 Song "The Hook Up Song" 2020 Dil Bechara Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song "Dil Bechara" 2024 Ishq Vishk Rebound
Television Year Show RoleNotes 2004–2006, 2016–2017 Indian Idol Judge Season 1, 2 and 7 2006–present Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Judge Seasons 1, 9, 11 2008 Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star Judge 2008, 2015 Nach Baliye Judge Season 4 and 7 2009–2014 Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega Judge 2010 Dance India Dance Li'l Masters 1 Judge 2011 Just Dance Judge 2012 Dance Ke Superkids Judge 2012 India's Got Talent Judge Season 4 2013 Nach Baliye Shriman v/s Shrimati Judge2013 Dance India Dance Supermoms Judge2015 Bigg Boss Halla Bol Co-host2015 Farah Ki Dawat Host2020Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi – Made in IndiaInterim Host2021Zee Comedy ShowJudge2022The Khatra ShowHost2025Celebrity MasterChefHost & JudgeMangal LakshmiJudge2026–Lock Upp: Sach Ya SazaHost
Accolades