Farhan Akhtar
About
The brilliant director who gave us the path-breaking film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ (2001), a coming-of-age film that has gained cult status, Farhan Akhtar is credited with introducing Bollywood to a newer, more realistic dimension of cinema.
A truly multi-dimensional personality, he is not only an ace director, a writer, and a producer, but also a dynamic actor. And if that wasn't enough, he is also a singer and lyricist. Born to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, he grew up under the influence of the Hindi film industry. He began his career as an assistant director in 'Lamhe and Himalay Putra'.
After establishing his production company, Excel Entertainment, along with Ritesh Sidhwani, he made his directorial debut with 'Dil Chahta Hai' in 2011 and received a National award for the film.
He made his Hollywood debut with the soundtrack of 'Bride and Prejudice', for which he wrote the lyrics. Akhtar sang the song 'Atrangi yaari' in a duet with Amitabh Bachchan for 'Wazir'.
After his acclaimed role in the film 'Rock On', he was recognized not just as an actor but as a singer too. He has since then been singing at live concerts and also made it to the cover of the prestigious music magazine, ‘Rolling Stone India’ in 2016.
Over the years, Farhan Akhtar has voiced his opinion and supported numerous social causes. In 2013, after Pallavi Purkayastha, a lawyer by profession, was sexually assaulted and then killed by her home watchman, he launched a social campaign 'Men Against Rape and Discrimination’ or ‘MARD’.
MARD aims to raise social awareness against rape and discrimination towards women. It has received positive feedback from Bollywood actors like Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, Hrithik Roshan and many others . It continues to garner great attention and responses on social networking platforms.
Awards and Accomplishments
Awards and Accomplishments
His official acting debut was with ‘Rock On’, for which he won a second ‘National Award’ for Best Feature Film as a producer. He then acted in, produced, and wrote the dialogues for the widely acclaimed ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in 2011′, which won him two Filmfare Awards.
He achieved further success by portraying the role of ‘Milkha Singh‘ in the 2013 film ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
He was the first male to be appointed as the ‘UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia’ in 2014.
Why Farhan Akhtar?
As a man who constantly raises the bar by excelling at everything he pursues, Farhan Akhtar has attained legendary status. He is the perfect blueprint of a socially conscious modern ‘Youth Icon’.
He has also evolved into a fitness icon with his incredible body transformations, initially for his film ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and then attaining the perfect boxer’s physique for ‘Toofan’.
He is an inspiration to millions around the world because he has been able to forge his legacy through not just his creative work but also through his contribution to society.
