15 Best Farhan Akhtar Movies and Where to Watch Them
Actor, writer, director, producer, singer-songwriter Farhan Akhtar is a man of many talents, serving as modern Bollywood’s Renaissance man since the 2000s.
Farhan Akhtar, the director
It was unsurprising that Farhan Akhtar found his calling in Bollywood considering his parents are veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar and timeless thespian Shabana Azmi. Talent runs in the genes as Aktar’s sister is also Zoya Akhtar, the auteur behind modern cult favourites like the film industry satire Luck By Chance and the road trip drama Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (both of which starred her brother in the lead).
But even before he became known for his poetic dialogue delivery and husky voice, Akhtar made his name behind the camera as director. It’s his mind (and money) that birthed trendsetting Bollywood gems like the coming-of-age celebration Dil Chahta Hai, the coming-of-age story/military epic Lakshya, and the Shah Rukh Khan-fronted reboots on Amitabh Bachchan’s crime thriller Don.
Along with producer Ritesh Sidhwani, Akhtar is also the head honcho of Excel Entertainment, the studio behind many a Farhan and Zoya Akhtar movie along with many other ventures (some like the Kannada-language KGF franchise and the popular Prime Video crime series Mirzapur).
Farhan Akhtar, the actor
As a director, Farhan Akhtar stayed within the ambit of mainstream Hindi cinema but still tried his best to add a slightly unconventional kick to his narratives, often experimenting with established genres in a more heartfelt and relatable manner. The same can be said for acting pursuits.
Making his debut with the musical drama Rock On, Akhtar oversaw the genesis of a timeless soundtrack album which courtesy of music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, seamlessly amalgamated Western rock soundscapes with his father Javed Akhtar’s youth-friendly, emotion-filled Urdu/Hindi lyricism. Along with co-stars like Arjun Rampal, Akhtar played a part of the fictional band Magik as Rock On chronicled the rock troupe’s rise, downfall, and redemption.
The movie also allowed Akhtar to boast his raw, energetic vocal energy. Not only did he sing popular hits from the movie like Socha Hai and Sinbad The Sailor but he went on to helm memorable tracks for many of his future projects. Cases in point include Senorita (ZNMD), Atrangi Yaari (Wazir), and the title track in Dil Dhadakne Do.
As an actor, Akhtar continued taking on experimental and challenging roles such as the Olympian athlete Milkha Singh in the sports biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a meek-mannered loner with split-personality disorder in Karthik Calling Karthik, and an ambitious Bollywood outsider trying to make it big in the industry in his sophomore acting credit Luck By Chance.
Why is Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Farhan Akhtar’s best movie?
Directed by his sister Zoya with Farhan himself contributing to the dialogues, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a decade-defining Bollywood road movie. Equally humorous and tearjerking, the comedy-drama charts a cross-country bachelor’s trip in Europe with three lifelong friends exploring their attitudes to love and life. Subverting familiar genre tropes with situational drama and goofily entertaining chemistry between the three leads (Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, and Abhay Deol each offering career-best performances), ZNMD is a coming-of-age story for a new generation of Indians who grew up in the cusp of late 2000s and early 2010s.
If you are a fan of the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag star and wish to have a deeper look into his filmography, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best Farhan Akhtar movies and a handy guide on where to stream them.
