Farah Khan's Inspiring Bollywood Journey: From Poverty to Stardom

In a candid conversation, renowned Bollywood choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan has shed light on her early struggles and how they have shaped her outlook on life. As of October 2025, Farah is reflecting on her journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of the most successful creative forces in the Indian film industry.

Farah revealed that she grew up in a home where money was always scarce, a reality that still affects her thinking and work ethic today. "Till now, I'm insecure about money. For me, I need to be financially secure to relax, that's the only insecurity I have. That drive to keep working is always there," she admitted. Even after achieving major success, Farah's fear of financial instability continues to motivate her to keep working hard.

Commenting on the current trend of celebrities narrating their "struggle stories" for relatability, Farah observed, "Nowadays, everyone wants a struggle story. Even those who haven't really struggled are trying to create one out of something weird. But I'm happy that my kids won't have one." Farah's own story, however, is one of grit and determination, as she learned choreography by watching music videos and practicing relentlessly, eventually breaking through with hit songs like "Pehla Nasha" and "Sheila Ki Jawani."

Furthermore, Farah acknowledged the resentment many outsiders feel towards "nepo babies" in the industry. "I can understand when people come from outside to Mumbai and have anger towards nepo babies. I can understand where that anger comes from, because they're struggling to pay their rent every month. For them, their (star kids) struggles seem very frivolous," she said.