Farhan Akhtar's Conscious Choice: Shielding His Daughters from Fame
While Farhan Akhtar remains a prominent figure in Indian cinema and music, the multi-talented artist has deliberately chosen a completely different approach when it comes to parenting his two daughters. The actor-filmmaker, who shares children Shakya and Akira with his former wife Adhuna Bhabani, recently discussed his thoughtful perspective on raising children away from public scrutiny.
Co-Parenting with Respect and Understanding
Despite ending their 16-year marriage in 2016, Farhan and Adhuna have maintained a healthy co-parenting relationship built on mutual respect. Their commitment to raising their daughters with thoughtful consideration continues to this day. During a recent conversation with Mid-Day, Farhan expressed genuine warmth while discussing his daughters' development.
"They are happy girls, growing independently," Farhan shared affectionately. "We are not telling them what they should do. They will find their own feet, they are very confident, independent, beautiful girls."
The Philosophy Behind Keeping Children Away from Limelight
Having grown up in the renowned Akhtar family himself, Farhan understands firsthand how easily children of celebrities can attract attention simply through family association. This awareness has shaped his deliberate decision to protect his daughters from unnecessary public exposure.
Explaining his reasoning, Farhan stated, "My intention has always been to keep them away from the spotlight. Attention is something that they need to earn. They should not take it for granted because of who you are."
He elaborated further on his vision for his daughters' futures: "I want them to be more successful than I could imagine, and if they want to be publicly famous, I wish well for them, but it would be nice that they earn that and not get used to being someone's daughter or related to so and so person. I keep them away from this because I think they need to work towards that."
Blended Family Dynamics and Shibani Dandekar's Role
Following his separation from Adhuna, Farhan found love again and married Shibani Dandekar in 2022. Over time, Shibani has developed a warm and meaningful relationship with Shakya and Akira. During an appearance on Rhea Chakraborty's podcast Chapter 2, Shibani acknowledged the exceptional parenting by both Farhan and Adhuna.
"This is also a huge credit to both their parents," Shibani praised. "They have raised them to be open-minded, understanding, kind. They aren't the average young adult teenagers. I am dealing with two girls who have taught me so much."
Describing her own approach to the relationship, Shibani explained with humility: "My approach was pretty simple. They have an incredible mother, they have an incredible father, the rest of us are just here to kind of fill in and support wherever we can. That's the way I see my role. Whatever the girls need, whenever their parents need my help, however they need that help, I am here for that."
Professional Updates and Recent Work
On the professional front, Farhan Akhtar continues to maintain his presence in the entertainment industry. His most recent acting project, '120 Bahadur', was released in theaters on November 21, 2025. The film features an ensemble cast including Vivaan Bathena, Ankit Siwach, Eijaz Khan, Ajinkya Deo and Rashi Khanna.
Through his thoughtful parenting approach and professional choices, Farhan Akhtar demonstrates a balanced perspective on fame, family, and personal values that resonates with many parents navigating similar challenges in today's celebrity-obsessed culture.
