Farhan Akhtar on impact of parents Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani’s divorce on his marriage: ‘I cannot do this to my own kids…’ |

Farhan Akhtar‘s life has been significantly influenced by his family and marital experiences. Born to the renowned writers Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani in the early 1970s, Farhan witnessed his parents’ separation in 1978, leading to their divorce in 1985. This chapter in his life, as Farhan recently reflected, deeply shaped his perspective on relationships and marriage, guiding him through his own personal journey.
In a candid conversation with journalist Faye D’Souza, Farhan discussed how growing up with divorced parents influenced his decision to end his first marriage with Adhuna Bhabani.He reflected on the emotional challenges of navigating his own divorce, being particularly mindful of its potential impact on his children, given his own childhood experiences.

The actor-director revealed the difficulty he faced during his divorce, drawing from his own childhood experience with divorced parents. He struggled with the idea of putting his own children through a similar situation. However, he and Adhuna made a conscious decision to communicate openly with their kids, ensuring they understood the separation wasn’t their fault or related to anything they did or said. Farhan emphasized the importance of explaining the decision to their children honestly, aiming to ease their emotional burden.

Akhtar discussed the ongoing emotional challenges he faces after his divorce, acknowledging that the decision was made mutually and amicably between two adults. Despite handling the situation with care and honesty, he admitted that the thought of whether his children deserved this will always linger. His own experience as a child of divorced parents significantly influenced his feelings about the impact of his separation, a reality he knows he’ll carry with him for life.
Farhan and Adhuna tied the knot in 2000 and welcomed two daughters, Shakya and Akira. Despite their commitment to creating a stable family life, they decided to separate in 2016, with the divorce finalized a year later. Farhan has openly discussed the emotional weight of this decision, emphasizing that it was made with careful consideration and transparency, especially towards their children. However, the question of whether his daughters deserved to go through this experience remains a lingering concern for him, one that continues to echo in his thoughts.

Professionally, Farhan is gearing up for his much-awaited return to directing with Don 3, slated for a 2025 release. This installment will feature Ranveer Singh in the iconic role, carrying forward the legacy that Farhan revived with the 2006 Don reboot. As Farhan balances the demands of both his personal and professional life, he continues to exemplify resilience and introspection, using his past experiences to inform his journey ahead.