Farhan Akhtar recalls being raised by dad Javed Akhtar ‘without a religion’; says he learned to ‘question everything’

Farhan Akhtar recalls being raised by dad Javed Akhtar 'without a religion'; says he learned to 'question everything'

As an ardent admirer of Farhan Akhtar, I find myself deeply captivated by his thought-provoking journey and unwavering commitment to intellectual exploration. His upbringing without a specific religious affiliation has undeniably shaped him into a critical thinker, questioning the world around him with a unique perspective that transcends traditional norms.


Farhan Akhtar was brought up by his parents, Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, who follow different religions. Despite this, the multi-talented actor-director enthusiastically participates in all Indian festivals. Interestingly, he recently disclosed that his father did not instill any religious beliefs in him during his upbringing.

During an interview with Faye D’Souza on her YouTube channel, Farhan Akhtar expressed that he was raised to question everything. He further explained that since he wasn’t brought up with a specific religion, he naturally questioned all aspects of life. Although his parents, particularly his father, never explicitly told them not to believe in God, they instead fostered a culture of questioning things and applying logical reasoning or scientific evidence to them. According to Akhtar, this approach is crucial as it helps determine whether something is a fact or a theory.

Farhan also shares the view that it’s peculiar how some people find solace in their faith. Yet, he acknowledges it can be challenging for those without faith to find similar comfort. On another note, Farhan has always enjoyed celebrating various festivals with enthusiasm, as they provide an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, indulge in delicious food, and enjoy new clothes. In his opinion, festivals are primarily a cultural event rather than a religious one, and he finds the celebration of diverse cultures truly enriching. The playback singer expressed this thought by saying, “It’s as if you’re celebrating a culture, and that’s an extraordinary thing.”

During the same interview, Farhan Akhtar also spoke about his divorce from Adhuna Bhabani. He openly acknowledged that it was a challenging experience for him. Reflecting on his upbringing with divorced parents, he expressed that this understanding made him keen to shield his daughters, Shakya and Akira, from experiencing the same hardship. “A significant aspect of me felt I couldn’t subject my own kids to this,” Farhan shared.

On the professional side, I’m fully engrossed in the filming of the upcoming sequel, Don 3. Unlike its predecessors, this time around, the main role isn’t being played by Shah Rukh Khan. Instead, it’s Ranveer Singh who will be leading the cast for this movie.

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2024-08-28 18:37