Farhan Akhtar

A successful writer, director, actor, producer Farhan Akhtar represents the contemporary sensibility in Hindi cinema. 'Dil Chahta hai', his directorial debut, made in 2001, caught the imagination of new generation and has gone on to develop a cult following. The film won the national award for Best Hindi Film and is widely regarded as a path breaking film that continues to inspire new age directors.

Born in 1974 to prolific Indian film writers, Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani. Farhan has been exposed to films ever since he was a child. Growing up in an environment where creativity and originality of thought were encouraged and harnessed, it was only a matter of time before he decided to become a filmmaker.

Farhan started working at the age of 17. First, as an apprentice with cinematographer Manmohan Singh for films like 'Lamhe' (1991), before assisting filmmaker Pankaj Parashar in film 'Himalayputra' (1997), and then worked for three years in a Television production house, Script Shop. These years were spent performing varied roles like Production Manager, Post Production Supervisor, Editor, Copywriter and Corporate Film Director on different projects.

In 1999 he teamed up with Ritesh Sidhwani and started work on his first feature film project that went on to create history.

In 2008, Farhan made his acting debut in 'Rock On'. It was critically acclaimed as well as a box office hit.

He wrote lyrics for Gurinder Chadha's 2004 Hollywood film, 'Bride and Prejudice'. He also appeared in his sister Zoya's directorial debut, 'Luck By Chance'.

He has appeared as a judge on a few shows on television, including the first season of the dance-reality show, 'Nach Baliye' (2005), and the beauty pageant, Femina Miss India (in 2002). He also hosted the first season of 'Oye! It's Friday!' on NDTV Imagine.