In a heartfelt trip down memory lane, filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan recently visited her cousin, actor-director Farhan Akhtar, at his Mumbai home. The interaction, featured in Farah's latest vlog, peeled back the layers on their close-knit family bond and unearthed several amusing and poignant childhood anecdotes that have captivated their fans.
A Family Sanctuary in Tough Times
One of the most significant revelations was the period when Farah Khan and her brother, Sajid Khan, lived with Farhan's family. This arrangement came about after their mother, Menaka Irani, separated from their father, Kamran Khan. The family had fallen on difficult times following the massive box office failure of Kamran Khan's film, which led to bankruptcy and his struggle with alcoholism.
Farah recalled with gratitude, "When Sajid and I were small, Farhan’s mother gave us refuge and help. And we lived together for many years in Farhan’s house." This act of kindness from Honey Irani, Farhan's mother and Menaka's sister, cemented a lifelong bond between the cousins.
The College Admission Drama
A particularly striking story involved Farhan Akhtar's struggle with academics and his subsequent college admission process. Farah narrated the incident that left their family, especially legendary writer Javed Akhtar, deeply upset.
Farhan, who had scored very low marks, went to a college for admission. The principal of the college was blunt in her assessment. She explicitly told them, "I am giving him admission because of Javed Akhtar sahab but actually he doesn’t deserve to be in this college." This harsh comment left the entire family feeling dejected.
Javed Akhtar was reportedly "fuming" after the encounter. However, in a twist that highlights Farhan's unique personality, he seemed completely unbothered. As they were crossing Marine Drive afterwards, while everyone else was stewing in anger and embarrassment, Farhan's primary concern was asking his father to buy him some masala bhel.
This nonchalance further irritated Javed Akhtar, who retorted, "sharam nahi aate tumhe (Aren't you ashamed)." The anecdote paints a vivid picture of a young Farhan, undeterred by academic pressures and societal expectations.
Professional Crossroads and Sibling Squabbles
The conversation also veered into their professional lives. Farhan revealed that he had approached Farah to choreograph a song for his upcoming film, 120 Bahadur. However, Farah had to turn down the offer because she had committed to a more lucrative deal with MasterChef India.
Farah admitted candidly, "I was getting more money in Masterchef. Hamari puri family ko paise se kitna pyaar hai (Our whole family loves money)." This humorous admission underscores the practical realities of show business, even for close family members.
Another memory involved a classic sibling rivalry moment with their brother, filmmaker Sajid Khan. Farah recalled an incident where Sajid got into a major fight with her and Farhan while they were playing a game at her home. Farhan explained that Sajid thought everyone was cheating to prevent him from winning.
The argument escalated, with Sajid accusing them of being jealous of his success since childhood, specifically claiming his first film was better than theirs. He then dramatically stormed out of the house, only to return a mere 15 minutes later, much to their amusement.
These shared memories from the vlog, filmed in November 2025, offer a rare and intimate look into the personal lives of some of Bollywood's most prominent families, revealing a world of support, rivalry, and unconditional love.
