Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 9: Multi-talented Bollywood star Farah Khan celebrates her 60th birthday today. From making her mark as a choreographer to directing iconic films like Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om, Farah has become a prominent figure in the Hindi film industry.
As she celebrates her milestone birthday, let’s look back at some of her most iconic directorial works and memorable choreographed songs.
Main Hoon Na (2004)
Farah Khan made her directorial debut with this hit film starring Shah Rukh Khan. Alongside SRK, the film featured a stellar cast including Sushmita Sen, Suniel Shetty, Zayed Khan, Amrita Rao, and Kirron Kher. The film was a massive success, earning the title of the second-highest-grossing film of 2004.
Om Shanti Om (2007)
Om Shanti Om was another milestone in Farah Khan’s career. The film marked Deepika Padukone’s debut and featured Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role. The film became the highest-grossing film of 2007 and remains one of Farah’s most successful directorial ventures. The ensemble cast included Arjun Rampal, Shreyas Talpade, Kirron Kher, and Yuvika Chaudhary.
Tees Maar Khan (2010)
Though not as commercially successful as her previous films, Tees Maar Khan, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, has since become known as a classic parody film. Farah continued to showcase her unique filmmaking style in this film, which also starred Akshaye Khanna, Aarya Babbar, and Rajiv Laxman.
Happy New Year (2014)
Produced by Gauri Khan under the Red Chillies Entertainment banner, Happy New Year featured an ensemble cast of Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, and Vivaan Shah. The film became one of the biggest box-office successes in Bollywood, further cementing Farah’s place in the industry.
Before venturing into direction, Farah Khan made a name for herself as one of Bollywood’s most successful dance choreographers. Some of her iconic choreographed songs include:
Dhol Bajne Laga
From the 1997 film Virasat, starring Anil Kapoor and Tabu, this song earned Farah the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography, showcasing her flair for creating memorable dance numbers.
Chaiyya Chaiyya
The unforgettable Chaiyya Chaiyya from Dil Se (1998) featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing atop a moving train. Farah’s choreography earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography.
Ek Pal Ka Jeena
From Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai (2000), this song launched Hrithik Roshan into stardom. Farah’s choreography, especially the iconic ‘air pumping step,’ won her the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography.
Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala
The lively song from Koi… Mil Gaya (2003) starring Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta, is still remembered for its infectious energy. Farah’s choreography for this song won both the Filmfare Award and the National Film Award for Best Choreography.
Farah Khan’s legacy as one of Bollywood’s greatest choreographers who successfully transitioned to direction continues to inspire countless filmmakers and dancers.