Choreographer. Director. Writer. Socialite. Farah Khan is a Bollywood heavyweight be it with her dance moves or her collaborations with Shah Rukh Khan like Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om. Much like her contemporaries Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra, Khan has relied on an over-the-top filmmaking style, never leaving a stone unturned in amping up the melodramatic romance, song-and-dance numbers, and extravagant set pieces in her movies. Here’s a look at her career.
Farah Khan, the Choreographer
Farah began her career in the entertainment industry as a choreographer. She quickly gained recognition for her exceptional choreography skills, working with top actors and directors in the 1990s. Her choreography in films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) earned her several awards and accolades like seven Filmfare Awards and the National Film Award for Koi Mil Gaya. Farah's energetic and fun-filled dance routines set a new standard in Bollywood, making her one of the most sought-after choreographers in the industry.
Directorial Debut with Main Hoon Na
In 2004, Farah Khan made her directorial debut with the film "Main Hoon Na." The movie, starring Shah Rukh Khan, marked the beginning of Farah's successful career as a director. Main Hoon Na was a commercial hit and received positive reviews for its entertaining blend of action, drama, and humor. Farah's directorial style was characterized by vibrant visuals, lively storytelling, and catchy song-and-dance sequences.
Continued Success with Om Shanti Om
Farah's sophomore film as a director, Om Shanti Om (2007), further solidified her position in the industry. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film was a massive success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films at the time. Om Shanti Om paid homage to the Hindi film industry, incorporating elements of romance, drama, and comedy. The movie's catchy soundtrack by Vishal-Shekhar (including evergreen party hits like “Dard-E-Disco” and romantic ballads like “Aankhon Mei Teri”) and memorable dance numbers, choreographed by Farah herself, added to its popularity.
A Mixed Future: Tees Maar Khan and Happy New Year
Following the success of Om Shanti Om, Farah continued her winning streak with Tees Maar Khan (2010). Despite mixed reviews, the film performed well at the box office, showcasing Farah's ability to create commercially successful and entertaining films. However, it's worth noting that "Tees Maar Khan" faced criticism for its storyline and screenplay.
Farah Khan's directorial career took a different turn with Happy New Year (2014), a heist comedy-drama featuring an ensemble cast led by Shah Rukh Khan. The film received mixed reviews but was appreciated for its spectacular dance sequences, which have become a trademark of Farah's directorial style. Despite the criticisms, Happy New Year was a box office success, reinforcing Farah's reputation as a director who could deliver crowd-pleasing entertainers.
Why is Om Shanti Om Farah Khan’s best movie?
Om Shanti Om is a big-budget love letter to Bollywood, a feel-good ode to vintage Hindi melodramas as is evident from not just the “love at first sight” trope between Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s characters but also the ridiculously self-aware element of “rebirth”. Khan and Padukone play the titular lovers Om and Shanti who find love during the Golden Age of Bollywood, only to tragically die and reunite in the next life to avenge their deaths and find love once again. Yes, the plot sounds heavily unrealistic on paper but it only makes the movie all the more magical, thanks to Khan’s rose-tinted vision.
Where can you stream Farah Khan’s filmography?
Netflix is where you can find three of Farah Khan’s films.
