Bollywood multi-hyphenate Farhan Akhtar, known for his diverse talent, had a rocky start during his academic years. Recently, director-choreographer Farah Khan released a new episode of her show on YouTube, which features a visit to Farhan’s home.
Farah and Farhan are first cousins, as their mothers, Menaka Irani and Honey Irani, are siblings. In the episode, Farah reminisced about a time when Farhan struggled with his exams, making it difficult for him to secure admission to a reputable college.
She recounted, “His marks were very poor. And the principal said, ‘I’m giving you the admission because of Javed Akhtar sahab, but honestly, he doesn’t deserve to be in this college.’” To this, Farhan humorously replied, “And I proved her absolutely correct.”
Farah also shared poignant moments from that time, stating, “We were all feeling very bad. Your dad was so upset. We were crossing Marine Drive, thinking Farhan must also be feeling terrible. And then Farhan said, ‘Can I have Anand ka masala milk?’ Dude, your dad got so upset. Didn’t you realise how it sounded, that you were asking for masala milk?”
In response, Farhan admitted, “Actually, I was not interested in college at all.”
Meanwhile, Farhan is gearing up for his upcoming film, ‘120 Bahadur.’ In this exciting role, he portrays Major Shaitan Singh Bhati PVC, an Indian war hero celebrated for his exceptional service to the nation. The Major served in the 13th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment during the Sino-Indian War, stationed in the Chushul sector.
On 18 November 1962, the post was attacked by Chinese forces. The Indian soldiers fought valiantly until their last rounds before being overpowered. During the battle, Singh risked his life, moving from post to post to reorganize defenses and boost the morale of his men, all while exposed to danger.
With ‘120 Bahadur,’ Farhan Akhtar is poised to deliver yet another impactful performance, stepping into the shoes of a true national hero.