Farhan Akhtar

Biography

Farhan Akhtar (born 10 January 1974) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer and television host. Born in Mumbai to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, he grew up under the influence of the Hindi film industry. He began his career in Bollywood 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 went on to make the commercially successful Don (2006). He directed a short film titled Positive (2007), to spread awareness on HIV-AIDS.

Selected Filmography

• The Kapil Sharma Show(2016)TV Series · 2 epsas Self
• Indian Idol(2004)TV Series · 1 epas Self
• Kaun Banega Crorepati(2000)TV Series · 2 epsas Self
• Ms. Marvel(2022)TV Series · 1 epas Waleed
• Koffee with Karan(2004)TV Series · 5 epsas Self
• Comedy Nights with Kapil(2013)TV Series · 1 epas Self
• Mirzapur(2018)TV Series · 29 epsExecutive Producer
• Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai(2002)TV Series · 3 epsas Himself
• Made in Heaven(2019)TV Series · 16 epsExecutive Producer
• The Drama Company(2017)TV Series · 1 epas Self
• Dabba Cartel(2025)TV Series · 7 epsExecutive Producer
• The Roshans(2025)TV Series · 3 epsas Self
• Bambai Meri Jaan(2023)TV Series · 10 epsExecutive Producer
• Inside Edge(2017)TV Series · 30 epsProducer
• Dahaad(2023)TV Series · 8 epsExecutive Producer
• BFFs with Vogue(2016)TV Series · 1 epas Self
• Superboys of Malegaon(2025)Producer
• Andhera(2025)TV Series · 8 epsExecutive Producer
• Eternally Confused and Eager for Love(2022)TV Series · 8 epsExecutive Producer
• Raees(2017)Producer