Showing posts with label Fardeen Khan interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fardeen Khan interview. Show all posts
I had stopped feeling like myself in my late 40s-Fardeen Khan
11:22 PM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; August 9, 2026)
Fardeen Khan is in a phase of his life where he is diving into meaningful work and taking a leaf from the lessons that have shaped him along the way. After returning to the screen with Heeramandi, Khel Khel Mein, Housefull 5 and Raja Shivaji, the actor is eager to keep exploring new opportunities, both in front of and behind the camera. In a frank conversation with Bombay Times, he talks about how reclaiming his health was life-changing and why starting afresh with a clean slate was the right way to go.
‘I had stopped feeling like myself in my late 40s’
Before making his comeback, Fardeen had made headlines for the weight he’d gained during the years he was away from the limelight.
However, he surprised everyone with a remarkable transformation. For the actor, though, the journey wasn’t about looking fitter — it was about reclaiming his health. “Earlier, looking good had a lot to do with work. I thought of it as part of the job, but that was at an age when your body is more resilient and can take a lot more abuse — whether it was sleeping patterns, lifestyle or other vices. In my late 40s, I just stopped feeling like the same person. The motivation for me was to reclaim my health. It wasn’t about looking a certain way, although I knew that if I became healthier, I would naturally look better. Once I started feeling the changes, I realized they weren’t just physical, they’ve been emotional and psychological too. I’ve never felt more connected to myself,” he says.
‘Since 2020, I’ve made some huge lifestyle changes’
Fardeen says quitting alcohol during the pandemic became a turning point for him. “Since 2020, there have been some huge lifestyle changes in my life. I’ve given up alcohol for the past six years. During COVID when gyms were closed, I read books and educated myself. People often punish themselves to transform their bodies, but the whole idea is to make it fit into your lifestyle, so that you can enjoy your food and enjoy working out. The biggest lesson was making things sustainable,” he says, adding, “I had started drinking and smoking at a very young age, so I’d forgotten what it felt like before all of that. That was the first time I had given up everything, and I actually remembered what feeling healthy was like.”
‘I came back with a clean slate and a heart full of gratitude’
Reflecting on his return to films, he says he had no expectations — only the desire to do meaningful work.
“My heart is filled with gratitude — not just for the work that came my way, but also for the audiences who welcomed me back. I returned with a clean slate. After 12 years, the industry had changed, the kind of films had changed, and there was a whole new generation of actors. I had no idea what would come my way or how I would fit into this landscape. What I did know was that I didn’t want to work just for the sake of working. I wanted to do quality work. I had no strategy. I simply chose the best work that came my way,” explains the actor, who has just wrapped up Kokh and plans to venture into production this year, with directing also being a long-held dream.
'I don't look at setbacks as failures'
Fardeen, who has had his ups and downs as an actor, believes difficult phases have shaped him more than his successes. "I don't necessarily see setbacks as failures. I see them as cycles in life. Whenever something doesn't work out, I first ask myself what I could have done better. That's always where I begin. None of us are perfect—we're all perfectly flawed. We have flaws, but we also have the ability to recognize them. If you're willing to learn, evolve and remain curious, those difficult phases become incredibly inspiring. The moment you stop operating from fear and insecurity, and instead focus on learning, uncertainty becomes an adventure rather than something to be afraid of. I only focus on what is within my control. Everything else I surrender. That's helped me navigate every phase of my life," he explains.
‘Every relationship gives you a deeper understanding of people’
Fardeen, who has separated from wife Natasha Madhvani (veteran actress Mumtaz’s daughter), doesn’t wish to delve into his personal life.
However, ask him what the last few years have taught him about relationships, and he replies, “Every experience changes you. Every relationship teaches you something about yourself and gives you a deeper understanding of people. The only thing you have to protect yourself from is becoming cynical or bitter. I love openly — whether it’s my family, friends or work — and I don’t want to lose faith because of any difficult experiences. Every phase of life, whether joyful or challenging, teaches you something if you're willing to learn."
‘I've never been great at self-love, but I'm better at it now’
On the topic of relationships, Fardeen does open up about the most intimate relationship in his life—the one with himself. "I've never been great at self-love, to be honest. But I'm better at it now than I've ever been. At least all my therapists tell me so. It's a very personal journey and not something I can explain in a few lines because it needs a lot of context. But what I have learnt is that self-love isn't about becoming selfish. It's about finding the balance between being true to yourself while also being empathetic towards others. Life teaches you that balance. Every success, every setback and every relationship leaves you a little wiser if you're willing to listen," he says.
‘You can’t expect things to work out just because you were a star once’
Fardeen says returning to films meant letting go of his past experiences and embracing a new journey. “People ask me whether it was humbling to go back and meet filmmakers after all these years. I don’t really see it that way because stardom has never defined my identity. It’s simply a consequence of what I do. Yes, after having done more than 30 films, you do climb a certain ladder in this industry. But when you come back after such a long gap, you start from scratch again. You have to earn your place all over again. You can’t walk in thinking you were once a star, so things should simply work out for you. That’s not how this business works. The audiences have to accept you again and that takes time,” he says.
When Prem Aggan didn’t succeed, I was quickly written off-Fardeen Khan
9:52 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; February 7, 2025)
Fardeen Khan grew up in an environment that was all about movies. In a chat with us, he shares that while his father, actor-filmmaker Feroz Khan, gave him a launch pad, he also told him that beyond that, he would have to find his own foothold. “It was crucial for my father that his children create their own identity. He was protective but always insisted that I had to earn my own goodwill and place in the industry,” says the actor.
‘I had a front-row seat to how films were made’
Fardeen agrees that he had the privilege of being from a film family, but he was also aware that there was a certain responsibility that came with it. “As time passed, I built my own relationships, separate from my father’s legacy. I grew up learning from him – not just as an actor, but seeing him as a producer and director. I had a front-row seat to how films were made and the challenges filmmakers faced. And that taught me to balance both the actor’s and producer’s perspectives, so I’ve never caused trouble for any producer,” he shares.
‘Whenever there’s been a tough situation, I’ve taken responsibility’
Over the years, Fardeen believes he has built his own goodwill in the industry. He says, “I’d like to think I earned my reputation. I have worked with several filmmakers like Sanjay Gupta, Mudassar Aziz, and Ram Gopal Varma multiple times. Also, whenever there’s been a tough situation, I’ve taken responsibility to resolve it personally.”
‘When Prem Aggan didn’t succeed, I was quickly written off’
Recalling the time when his debut film, Prem Aggan (1998), directed by Feroz Khan, failed at the box office, Fardeen says, “When Prem Aggan didn’t succeed, I was quickly written off. My father sat me down and said, ‘Son, we made an effort, but we failed. You’ve got a college degree, you’ve learned from my experiences and from your own life. Now, you’ll have to pave your own way.’ He told me he would support me for one year, but after that, I would have to be on my own.”
I wish I hadn’t taken such a long break from work-Fardeen Khan
8:43 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; October 17, 2024)
The year 2024 marked Fardeen Khan’s comeback to the movies. In a conversation with us, the actor talks about how he struggled to make a re-entry into showbiz after a hiatus of 14 years, his moments of self-doubt, and how his father, Feroz Khan’s death deeply affected him. Read on...
‘I wasn’t sure if filmmakers would be able to slot me in a role’
Fardeen, who spent most of his time away from the limelight living in London with his family, says that making his way back to the industry was a struggle.
Fardeen says, “A lot went into these last three years… just sitting at home, believing in yourself and keeping that hope. It’s been a struggle, especially because I wasn’t coming back after a couple of years, but 14 years and that too, after turning 50. I had a lot of questions like, will filmmakers be able to slot me in a role? Do people even want to see me? Today, the content is very different from what it was in the 2000s. The protagonists have changed. Different parts of our country are being represented so beautifully now. The times are very different. So, I came back with the mentality of literally starting off a new career.” The actor was recently seen in the web show Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar and films Khel Khel Mein and Visfot.
‘I made a conscious decision to take a break from work’
While he’s happy to face the camera again, when asked what led him to step away from the industry at an important juncture of his career, he says, “It was a conscious decision. We had challenges having children at that time, so we moved to London. There, we had an incredible doctor, and soon after, my daughter was born (through IVF) in 2013, followed by my son in 2017. After my daughter was born, I intended to take a two-year break to enjoy parenthood. I enjoyed being a father so much that it ended up being a break that lasted more than a decade. I wish I hadn’t taken such a long break from work. The only brownie point is that I have two beautiful children with whom I could spend so much time.”
‘Dad’s death and my surgery affected me deeply’
The other reason he stayed away from the limelight was his father’s (Feroz Khan) demise in 2009 due to lung cancer, after which he faced a health scare himself. It’s a phase of his life that he doesn’t want to recall. “Let me just say that I had a surgery that also affected me. Also, my father’s illness was very serious, as his prognosis was not good from the beginning. Those two years were very tough. I needed time for closure. Dad’s death affected me deeply,” he shares.
‘I realized that there was an audience that wanted to see me’
Fardeen, who would shuttle between Mumbai and London, was heavily trolled for his weight gain in 2016. Those comments shook him. “I was like… why are they after me? However, that version was the heaviest version of me. I realised that there was an audience that wanted to see me. I saw some love in all that criticism. Then, when I decided that I needed to make a comeback, I started losing weight.”
‘There’s no other greater form of self-love than to look after your health’
Fardeen’s kids, Diani and Azarius, he says, are loving this fitter version of him. “They called my belly, Tungu (laughs). So now they are like, ‘Daddy, your Tungu’s gone!’ I don’t think there is any greater form of self-love than to look after your health. Now, I enjoy playing sports with my kids. My son is just about starting out and he’s showing interest in football. I’m introducing him to Jiu-Jitsu.”
‘I miss my kids terribly’
While the actor lives here now and is totally focusing on his career, his kids continue to live in London. There were reports of his separation from his wife, Natasha. While he doesn’t want to talk about his personal life, he does open up about missing spending time with his children.
He says, “It’s not easy. I don’t want to get into why they’re away, but yes, it’s not easy. I miss them terribly. I see them every four to six weeks and we talk over video calls daily. But I definitely miss being a part of their daily life, watching them grow up, be a part of their decision-making process and help them find their own identity. My kids paint and I have put up their artwork on the walls of my house in Mumbai. I miss their hugs, cuddles and kisses. I keep working to keep my mind distracted. And whenever they come down to Mumbai, I clear my entire schedule and be with them 24/7.”
I was fortunate that I could take that time off and witness the growing up years of my children-Fardeen Khan
8:11 AM
Returning to movies with Visfot after 12 years and two children, Fardeen reflects on how he took a hiatus to build his family
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 15, 2022)
“How can I forget my first day of Visfot shoot,” exclaims Fardeen Khan. It was momentous for him — the actor, last seen in Dulha Mil Gaya (2010), was facing the camera after a 12-year hiatus. In these years, Khan had moved to London, become father to two children and piled on excess kilos that made him almost unrecognizable. Amid all these sweeping changes, what remained constant was his love for acting. In 2021, he decided that it was time to be Bollywood-bound again. Those extra kilos were quickly shed, and the actor — once again looking as dashing as he did in the aughts — returned to Mumbai.
“When I returned, I reached out to industry people to let them know that I am keen to work again. I met Sanjay [Gupta, Visfot producer] too. He liked the way I look; he said there is maturity and manliness in my demeanour now. He asked me to read the script of Visfot. I was a bit taken aback as it seemed a godsend,” he says, with his impish smile.
Visfot, also starring Riteish Deshmukh, is the remake of the Venezuelan movie, Rock, Paper, Scissors (2012). As the Kookie Gulati-helmed crime drama rolled late last year, Khan admits it took a while to get back on the saddle. “Initially, I was nervous, but it wasn’t a disabling nervousness. I spent three weeks doing script-reading sessions, perfecting the lingo and had many discussions with Kookie. I play a Dongri boy who emigrates overseas, but has to return to the country. His life then turns topsy-turvy overnight.”
Does he think filmmaking has changed in the past 12 years? “Things have changed a lot in terms of technology. The most profound change is that the audience’s standard of quality has risen with the [advent of] streaming platforms.”
A chat would be incomplete without understanding what made him take the long hiatus. “Natasha and I were trying to have a family. Since we had a bad experience with doctors here, we decided to consult doctors in London in 2011. That’s when we moved. IVF has its own demands, and I wanted to be there for my wife. I admire Natasha for everything that she has gone through. In 2013, we had our first child [Diani]. When I saw my daughter for the first time, my heart melted. We had our son [Azarius] in 2018. I was caught up in parenthood, and time just flew. I was fortunate that I could take that time off and witness their [growing-up] years.”
I plan to remake some of my dad’s films-Fardeen Khan
8:15 AM
The actor is all set to back fresh content and reprise some of his father, filmmaker-actor Feroz Khan’s movies
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 20, 2022)
Fardeen Khan, who recently wrapped up his comeback project, Visfot, now plans to produce films, too. If all goes as planned, he might announce the remakes of some of his father, late actor Feroz Khan’s iconic movies in the near future. Fardeen says, “Yes, I do plan to do that. I want to live up to my dad’s legacy. There have been some talks about remakes of his films. I can’t name the titles yet, but I will be happy to share the details when things materialise. We have a great foundation to build on. The tricky part is how does one better the original. If I were to attempt a remake, the humble approach would be to not harm the original in the bargain. It will haunt me for the rest of my life if we tamper with the memories of the original films while trying to create a new version.”
Fardeen also plans to back fresh content. “My attempt will be to contribute to the progression of the creative business in India,” he says, adding, “There are so many different genres to tap. We have a rich history, which I am looking at. There are so many original stories floating out there. There are contemporary ideas, history-led, technology-led stories and so on. I just want to push the envelope.”
Besides the films that he starred in, Feroz Khan had also produced, directed and acted in films like Dharmatma, Qurbani, Janbaaz, Dayavan and Yalgaar. He had also helmed Fardeen’s Bollywood debut Prem Aggan back in 1998. The filmmaker was not only known for his suave screen presence, but also for being someone who presented content stylishly and with a progressive bent of mind.
Recalling his dad’s style and sensibilities as a filmmaker and actor, Fardeen says, “My dad was extremely progressive in terms of how he presented his characters. His films were liberal and broke away from tradition. There were few filmmakers who were more advanced for their time, and he was one of them. He was a student of cinema and always very curious and learning and adapting to newer technology. When I was shooting for Visfot, I saw some cool gadgets and fancy apparatus being used on the set and I thought of my dad. When I see the shot line-up created and sent on phones, I tend to think of him and how he would review his shots every day after work. He would have loved being around the technology we have today. Although he was progressive, he was never someone who promoted himself blatantly. He never tried to project himself or his films a certain way. He just did things the way he felt was right.”
He further adds, “Today, I don’t know how progressive I can be, and I don’t know if I will ever compare to my father. I don’t know if I can be even an ounce of what he was. His contribution to cinema was immense. His ear for music, his eye for presenting his leading ladies as modern and beautiful women and his yearning to bring home more advanced technology will be my inspirations when I don the producer’s hat.”
It’s daunting to make a fresh start, I feel like an intern again-Fardeen Khan
8:17 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; February 24, 2022)
After an 11-year-long hiatus, Fardeen Khan is all set to step on the big screen once again. In fact, the actor recently wrapped up work on his comeback venture, Visfot, co-starring Riteish Deshmukh. In an exclusive chat with BT, the actor spoke about facing the camera after a long break and the journey ahead. Excerpts:
Now that you are back in the spotlight officially, what changes do you see in the way things work today?
It’s a whole new landscape in terms of the content and the way the system works now. There’s a much higher standard of creativity. Streaming has brought in a different kind of audience, and that has changed the way content is being created, and protagonists are being designed. The lines between OTT and theatrical content are blurred. Of course, the budgets, timelines and challenges differ, but unlike TV, streaming content has the same standard as a slick movie. I have consumed a lot of content over the years on streaming platforms, but to now see it functioning from the inside is great. What hasn’t changed is the human dynamism and the foundation of how we tell stories, how it continues to play on emotions and create an experience. The pandemic just turbocharged the change in the movie business that was waiting to happen.
How have people within the industry reacted to your re-entry into the fold?
Even though I was meeting fewer people due to the pandemic, I met Sanjay Gupta, Mudassar Aziz, Sajid Nadiadwala and many of my colleagues and friends with whom I had worked previously. I let them know that I am back, transformed, eager and committed to getting back to cinema. A lot of people thought I was not living here at all. Everyone I met was warm and welcoming, no upfront promises to work together, but a reassurance that we would team up for sure soon. This industry is where I belong, and I was always going to come back to work in some form. You need the courage to make a fresh start. It’s daunting and I feel like an intern again.
You have completed the shoot of Visfot. How was the experience of facing the camera again after more than a decade?
I was extremely nervous! (laughs!) I hadn’t slept a few nights before the first day of the shoot. We had workshops and readings. I was nervous about facing the camera again from the day I signed up for it. The film had its own kind of journey before going on floors. We changed locations from London to Goa and eventually to Mumbai, looking at the pandemic situation. I’m playing a character from a certain kind of background that I have never done before.
I wasn’t sure I would fit into that. I had apprehensions, but we got the look right, and that was the beginning. There were jitters; I wondered if I still knew how to act after 11 years of not doing it. The workshops helped me a lot to get a grip on the character, and it all started coming back. Knowing Kookie Gulati (director), Riteish (Deshmukh) and Sanjay went a long way in settling back in. They are my friends who had my back and they made me feel very welcome. I was fortunate to have the luxury of being treated rather gently for the first couple of days. A fortnight or so in, and the kid gloves were off! (laughs!) Then all of them were like, ‘He’s okay! Let’s get on with it!’ No more gentle treatment from there! I had a great time shooting at an outdoor place like Dongri. I have driven through it but never shot there. Shooting at one of their shopping streets was quite an experience. That day, I also realised that common people have not forgotten me, although it has been long since they saw me in a movie.
Earlier you spoke about how the way Bollywood functions has changed, what are the changes that strike you the most?
As an industry, we are now subscribing to a new standard of professionalism and creativity. Bollywood, in general, was operating with a lot of mediocrity. A percentage of the crowd did some amazing work, comparable to international cinema, but largely, we were still trapped in mediocrity, and that includes me, too. There is no room for that anymore. Everyone has upped their game today. You have to be on-point. Time is the most precious entity now and no one’s forgiven for wasting it. In this case, as Sanjay was involved with Visfot, I felt a sense of comfort as both of us are from the old school of Bollywood and we are together grappling with the new stuff. So much has changed; there are so many new faces and talent. The learning curve is huge, but I am enjoying the process. It felt like I was back in school.
Now that you’re back to the grind, have you introduced your kids to the work you have done so far?
Not yet. My daughter and I have not even seen a movie together. We have watched cartoons and other stuff. I think we will watch Heyy Babyy first. I have shown my children some of my film songs. My daughter (Diani) is older, and she is trying to wrap her head around the idea that there is something called acting for a livelihood. They have lived for the most of their life in the UK and one year in Dubai now. They have not been exposed to this side of what I do. Had the scenes allowed me, I would have loved to show her around one of my sets of Visfot. Even one of the last schedules had a lot of cussing and some extreme stuff, which is not meant for kids. But I hope to take her on a set soon. My son (Azarius) is amused to see the songs featuring me. The mere concept of seeing daddy act is new for him. Since they live in a different country and are not in the cinema ecosystem, it takes them time to understand all of this.
I’ve never looked outwards for validation. I know my truth and where I stand-Fardeen Khan
8:25 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2020)
What kept you away from films for 10 years? A sabbatical that lasted for a decade is a long time.
I had different priorities. I got into real estate business in between and that did well for me. It was a phase where my priority was my family. I was happy being a parent. We had challenges having children, so that was our reason to move out of the country. We tried to complete our family in London and that worked out well. I have two kids. My daughter will turn seven soon and my son is 3 years old. I got carried away with that to be honest. Being around them has been the most profound experience of my life. I got completely absorbed by that.
Well, while you were away, everyone here kept wondering, ‘Where did Fardeen Khan disappear?’
My last release was in 2010. I did want to take a break from Bollywood, but it turned out to be much longer than I anticipated. Sometimes, life just turns out the way it does. But now I am back and keen to do what I know best — acting. I have grown up in this film industry and this is where I belong. The process of telling a story is what I have always loved, and this is an exciting time right now. Cinema has become progressive. There are so many formats and varied content. As far as me disappearing is concerned, my kids’ study in the UK for now. I have been travelling back and forth between India and the UK, but because of the lockdown we were stuck there. This was the first time that I was away for 10 months at a stretch. I was missing home terribly. There is no place like Mumbai. We are planning to move out of the UK next year.
You were extremely dignified in the way you handled trolls, who mocked you for your weight gain four years ago. There were even speculations that you were battling depression, but you put it all to rest with your heartfelt post on body positivity.
In our profession, a lot of importance is given to how you look. You are expected to look your best at all times. When I was trolled for my weight, I wasn’t actively part of the film industry. I had been away for years, so I was surprised at the degree and intensity of the reactions. That was my introduction to being trolled on social media, the new age that we live in. It doesn’t feel good to be in that situation, but you have to look at it for what it is. You have to find positivity within yourself. If you constantly seek validation from other people on what they think about you, you need to rethink that. Also, you need to be honest with yourself. I was extremely out of shape then. I found humour in it to whatever extent I could and moved on. I’ve never looked outwards for reassurances and validation. I know my truth and where I stand. I was well equipped to handle the criticism because of my personal attitude. When I posted my response, I saw people identifying with that as well.
Your weight loss journey must have been tough and challenging. What was your biggest motivator?
I had put on a lot of weight and I wasn’t feeling good. I decided I wanted to look and feel my best as far as possible. I used the lockdown to invest in myself not just cosmetically, but health wise. Mental, emotional and physical health. I came across an author who’s had a great impact on my desire to be in the best of shape and not from a cosmetic point of view. She gave me a different perspective on health. I started training in May. I have made profound changes in my nutrition and diet, and it has helped a lot. I feel 25 again. I have dropped 18 kilos and I am near my target. Running around my kids also helped. With children, you have to lead by example. I am trying to get my daughter into fitness and that was a huge motivator.
After being in the industry for so long, is it unnerving to come back to it and go through the same process all over again... networking, auditions, casting?
This is a part of the process. Of course, I have 20 films to show to someone who isn’t familiar with my work, but if someone wants to test my acting ability, I am open to it. There is nothing wrong with it. Whatever it takes to bag meaningful opportunities. I respect the process.
What kind of work are you are looking for in the second innings of your career?
After a break, you are at a different point in your life and at a different age. Obviously, you can’t do what you did years ago. I want to do meaningful, meaty work. Now there’s a good balance between entertainment and relevant cinema. Boundaries are being redefined and real issues are being highlighted. Gone are the traditional approaches or templates of filmmaking, the way we historically worked. It’s all very progressive. I have an open mind to doing anything. There’s a new generation of people making movies so they will perceive you differently. They may not slot you in the same category as others may have before. I have a learning curve ahead of me and I am looking forward to meeting people to get a sense of how they perceive me.
I wanted to look after both my physical and mental well being-Fardeen Khan
8:22 AM
In the news for shedding 18 kilos, Fardeen Khan on aiming to 'fire on all cylinders' instead of concerning himself with the aesthetic benefits of weight-loss
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; December 9, 2020)
Progressing into this conversation, we become increasingly apprehensive about using the term weight-loss when discussing Fardeen Khan's physical transformation. "For the first time in my life, I set out to reclaim my health. I wanted to look after both my physical and mental well-being. The loss of weight, while an integral part of the journey, was only a [by-product] of my attempt to function optimally," says the actor.
A little over a year ago, a society that is quick to fat-shame lived up to its 'reputation' when it used his excessive weight-gain as fodder for entertainment. Cinephiles who had been charmed by his act in an array of romantic films were quick to turn critics after Khan admittedly "let myself go". "When you don't train or sleep properly, and are not conscious of what you consume, [you gain weight]. Throughout my life, I had treated dieting as a factor that could determine how I looked. The perception was that I should watch my food, only if I had gained weight, or was not looking the best that I could. But one tends to lose vitality with age. I wanted to ensure that I was firing on all cylinders."
Khan doesn't cite people's reactions as triggers that egged him on to shed weight. Having realised that he was becoming lethargic, and struggling to keep up with the pace of his kids, aged three and seven, he began to keep tabs on his calorie-intake. However, it was a book by an American doctor that sparked his interest in nutrition. "Catherine Shanahan's The Fatburn Fix stresses on how one feels, instead of looks. It highlights how eating correctly is essential to function optimally. Her science-backed recommendations speak of how metabolism works. I started seeing results after I began integrating the learning in my life."
Among the changes that benefited him was taking to a Keto diet. "One of my biggest takeaways was understanding how food affects us. Her research unveils how a Keto diet works, and stresses on the fact that our race has evolved [by following] this nutrition plan." But, having grown up on an Indian diet that is infamous for being heavily dependent on carbohydrates, Khan admits he had to coax himself to eliminate it from his chart. "But the challenge lasted no longer than three weeks. Once you reset your metabolism, you are naturally dissuaded by foods that make you feel lethargic, and in turn, seek meals that make you feel good. The idea is to minimise inflammation. So, if I crave for sugar, I consume berries instead. I eat organic protein. I am not someone who enjoys vegetables, [but I have acquired a liking] for asparagus, French beans, and spinach. That's as far as I can go with them."
When London gyms downed their shutters in the wake of the pandemic, Khan had scrambled to set up a gym in his garage. With a handful of equipment, including barbells and plates, he put the lessons that he had learnt from his high-school fitness routines, to use. "Later, I began training with a professional for five days in a week, and followed basic compound movements that recruited the lower-body muscles. I wanted to strike a balance between [strength-training], weight-loss, and flexibility work."
Eighteen kilos lighter, Khan admits he is ready to take on new opportunities in the industry. "I have realised the profound changes that can take place when you follow a healthy lifestyle. It changes how you feel and think, and makes you feel like a contender again. I am meeting people, and the endeavour is to start acting. I have also wanted to produce and direct [projects], both of which will happen in [due course of] time."
Fitness Regimen
Khan took to a mix of strength-training and cardiovascular exercises. He set up a gym in his garage in London and practiced compound movements under the guidance of a physical fitness trainer. The movements recruited the muscles of the lower-body and aimed at building a strong foundation for advanced exercises. He also began his day by walking or jogging, to get his daily dose of cardiovascular activity.
Keto Diet
The Keto diet — which shares similarities with the Atkins diet — promotes the consumption of fats, and discourages the consumption of carbohydrates. Reducing carbs from the diet puts a person's body into a metabolic state of ketosis. It is at this stage that the body is believed to become efficient at using fats as fuel for energy.
Natasha Madhwani wanted this name Azarius for one of the boys we lost-Fardeen Khan
8:02 AM
New
father Fardeen Khan on son Azarius’s unique name, his wife’s diffi cult
pregnancies and a long overdue return to Hindi films
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 15, 2017)
When Fardeen Khan and Natasha Madhwani’s second child, son Azarius, was born on Friday, August 11, the parents’ euphoria was tinged with a sense of relief. “The second time around, we were more confident of our abilities to handle an infant; we weren’t afraid that the child would fall off the changing table. More importantly, our (three-year-old) daughter Diani was with us to welcome our son. She had been preparing for a couple of months for his arrival and had even helped us do up his room. She made the sweetest cards for him and has already given him a nickname, Zazu (the bird from Lion King),” proud papa Fardeen told Mirror from London, adding that Diani is perhaps the most excited in the family about the new arrival. “That made it even more special.”
About his unusual choice of name for his secondborn, Fardeen reveals that it originated from an emotional place. “Natasha had selected this name for one of our boys that we lost to a late miscarriage she had suffered before Diani came along. For us, it was sentimental on a profoundly personal level. Besides, both of us love the name,” Fardeen explains. He admits his his wife of 12 years has had a tough time during her previous pregnancies and he is proud that she is still strong. “Natasha is recovering well but we have had more than our fair share of challenges having children. In the process, I realised that I am married to an amazing and determined person. I’m fortunate to have Natasha as the mother of my children so I chose to make her pregnancy as special as possible with a lot of TLC,” he reveals.
Fardeen may have indefinitely hung up his acting boots but he is making sure to introduce little Diani to Bollywood through his late father, filmmaker-actor Feroz Khan. “Since she never got to meet her dada, I introduced her to him through his songs. We showed tracks from Apradh so she could see her nani (yesteryear actress Mumtaz) and dada. It was hysterical to see Diani flummoxed as she tried to make sense of it all. Until then, she had been used to just cartoons. It was an emotional moment for me. Dad would have loved to meet her, as well as my sister’s son, Zaan, and now, Azarius. When Diani sees his songs, she says ‘That’s my other grandpa, Feroz Khan,’” the actor recounts.
Fardeen’s willingness to talk about his brood is briefly interrupted when asked about an impending comeback to films as actor or producer. Fardeen, who was last seen in the 2010 release, Dulha Mil Gaya, opposite Sushmita Sen, turns elusive and says shortly, “I will keep you all posted.”
When Fardeen Khan and Natasha Madhwani’s second child, son Azarius, was born on Friday, August 11, the parents’ euphoria was tinged with a sense of relief. “The second time around, we were more confident of our abilities to handle an infant; we weren’t afraid that the child would fall off the changing table. More importantly, our (three-year-old) daughter Diani was with us to welcome our son. She had been preparing for a couple of months for his arrival and had even helped us do up his room. She made the sweetest cards for him and has already given him a nickname, Zazu (the bird from Lion King),” proud papa Fardeen told Mirror from London, adding that Diani is perhaps the most excited in the family about the new arrival. “That made it even more special.”
About his unusual choice of name for his secondborn, Fardeen reveals that it originated from an emotional place. “Natasha had selected this name for one of our boys that we lost to a late miscarriage she had suffered before Diani came along. For us, it was sentimental on a profoundly personal level. Besides, both of us love the name,” Fardeen explains. He admits his his wife of 12 years has had a tough time during her previous pregnancies and he is proud that she is still strong. “Natasha is recovering well but we have had more than our fair share of challenges having children. In the process, I realised that I am married to an amazing and determined person. I’m fortunate to have Natasha as the mother of my children so I chose to make her pregnancy as special as possible with a lot of TLC,” he reveals.
Fardeen may have indefinitely hung up his acting boots but he is making sure to introduce little Diani to Bollywood through his late father, filmmaker-actor Feroz Khan. “Since she never got to meet her dada, I introduced her to him through his songs. We showed tracks from Apradh so she could see her nani (yesteryear actress Mumtaz) and dada. It was hysterical to see Diani flummoxed as she tried to make sense of it all. Until then, she had been used to just cartoons. It was an emotional moment for me. Dad would have loved to meet her, as well as my sister’s son, Zaan, and now, Azarius. When Diani sees his songs, she says ‘That’s my other grandpa, Feroz Khan,’” the actor recounts.
Fardeen’s willingness to talk about his brood is briefly interrupted when asked about an impending comeback to films as actor or producer. Fardeen, who was last seen in the 2010 release, Dulha Mil Gaya, opposite Sushmita Sen, turns elusive and says shortly, “I will keep you all posted.”
Natasha and I have always wanted at least two children-Fardeen Khan
7:43 AM
Upala KBR (DNA; May 1, 2017)
Fardeen Khan and his wife Natasha are expecting their second child. The star couple is currently based out of London. Fardeen is back in Mumbai on some work assignments, while Natasha will return to the city with their children after the baby is born in July.
Says the ecstatic dad-to-be, “I am on top of the moon. Natasha is five months pregnant and isn’t travelling with me this time around as it’s so hot in Mumbai and soon, the monsoons will be upon us. She will come after that. I visit India every three or four weeks and spend half that time in Mumbai.”
Sharing his experience of being a father to little Diani, his firstborn, Fardeen says, “To be honest, it’s the most profound chapter of my life and she has brought life full circle. You value everything that is truly important in your life. You are born to your parents. They bring you up and you love and value them. Then you have your own children, you realise what your parents went through, bringing you up and then you try and teach your daughter everything about life just the way your parents taught you.”
Fardeen says becoming a father is the greatest responsibility in life and adds, “If you are not ready for the responsibility, don’t bring life into this world. It is a big, big responsibility to bring life into this world. It’s not a whim or fancy and you have to be truly prepared for it. You have to make sure in whatever capacity you can, you give your child the best opportunities that you can. And more than anything, all they want is your love so you have to give them your time and love. Everything else is secondary.”
Fardeen and Natasha are naturally thrilled about their second baby. “Natasha and I have had our share of challenges and that’s why we have been parked in London and travel back and forth. We are over the moon. It completes our family. We have always wanted at least two children so it completes our family and we are extremely happy! We are happy as a couple, we are happy as a unit and even my little daughter Diani is looking forward to having a sibling. She’s right now in London but the minute we have our second child, we have to come back for Diani’s school year so she will be starting school in Mumbai from June next year. It’s home! Aamchi Mumbai! Living there has just been a temporary thing. We were here more to have our children as we had some medical challenges as a couple. Hopefully, everything will go well, and Diani will be in a Mumbai school by June next year. We have already started applying there. We are just going to be here till she completes her school year in London. The last three years I took a call to be a full-time parent but now I am beginning to miss the movies. I am missing work and I need to get back!”
I wasn’t happy with the way I looked-Fardeen Khan
9:28 AM
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 24, 2014)
Fardeen Khan vanished from the scene four years ago. Since then hushed whispers have been doing the rounds that the former heartthrob had let himself go and piled on several unwanted kilos. But yesterday at his Juhu bungalow, Fardeen looked lean, fit and agile. Over cups of green tea, the actor spoke about the realisation that dawned on him to get back into shape and the regime which had helped him lose 14 kilos in the last four months. “I wanted to get back to work. I wasn’t happy with the way I looked. My wife Natasha and I had undergone a lot during her pregnancy. Two months before our daughter Diani Isabella was born, I decided that I needed to do something about myself. An actor’s job demands that he should look good. I had neglected myself for too long,” he said.
Fardeen admitted that he had stopped exercising after his father Feroz Khan fell ill and passed away in 2009.
But four months ago, in London, where he has been staying for the past two-and-a-half years, he joined Nick Mitchell’s UP Fitness and started working out with trainer Shaun Murphy.
The exercise regime started on a four-day per week schedule. “Slowly, I started exercising six days in a week. The idea was to gain lean body mass and burn body fat at the same time,” Fardeen explained.
Naturally, the workout was accompanied by a restricted diet which included five small dairy-free, low-carb meals in a day.
And how did he balance fatherhood with this regime? “You need to be ready for parenthood; you need to want it enough. Natasha and I had wanted a baby for a long time. Oh, I am loving fatherhood,” said Fardeen.
He gets back to face the camera for Anees Bazmee's No Entry Mein Entry, produced by Boney Kapoor, in January 2015. He will soon announce two films, which he plans to produce under the FK banner and his father’s dream to remake Qurbani too is also in the pipeline.
“I have been shuttling between London and Mumbai but now I am pretty much here to stay. Natasha and my daughter are planning to return to Mumbai next month. A party is in the offing,” he concluded.
1st step is with Provogue. Movies, obviously, is next logical step-Fardeen Khan
9:55 AM
Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; April 6, 2014)
Fardeen Khan is returning to the spotlight with an endorsement deal for Provogue. After Dulha Mil Gaya (2010), he had taken a break from Bollywood to venture into the real estate business. The actor, who has lost considerable weight and is working hard to lose some more, says, “It started last December with the birth of our baby, whom we’ve named Diani Isabella. I am now getting back to work.” Over to Fardeen...
Having been associated with Provogue for a long time, what excited you to team up with them again?
I was their ambassador from 2001 to 2006 and we had a great run together. We were both in the infancy of our respective careers, and we grew together as people, as a company. The brand’s team and I kept in touch, and when we met last year, they saw me looking different. I had lost most of the weight I had put on. They were looking for an ambassador and I think this was destined, a cosmic connection of sorts. After the baby, I’m keen to get back and this is a great way to kickstart my return.
What’s your take on deodorants being the focus of the new campaign?
I think it’s a great move. Personal hygiene is a high-growth market. The way you smell and the way you groom yourself is a reflection of your personal hygiene. Our reunion after eight years makes it challenging, to not just recreate past success, but also to take it to another level. People’s tastes have changed, especially in fashion. To sell personal care, hygiene products, you’ve got to communicate differently.
What do you attribute the strong connect between the brand and you to?
I can’t put a finger on it specifically. Generally speaking, our campaigns were bold, adventurous, edgy and in your face and at the same time, we didn’t try too hard. The image we tried to achieve back then was of a personal sense of confidence that said, ‘This is how I am, I don’t need to accessorise’. Though very basic and simple, it had a certain attitude. People associated with that strongly. While we’re back to the basic intention, we’re carrying it forward in a different way this time.
Will you also be representing fashion for Provogue as before?
Yes, of course. Though we’re starting with the personal care products, taking the summer into account, our next campaign will focus on fashion just like it did during our first years together. So, we’ll have an interesting range coming up later, after the personal hygiene products range.
What are your future plans in movies?
My first step is with Provogue. Movies, obviously, is the next logical step. I’m working on a couple of scripts since the past year-and-a-half. I know what I want to do in terms of content. We’ll start production for sure. While I want to direct, I’ll venture into it only when I really feel I want to direct. Till then, my concentration is on acting and on producing a film based on the material I’m working on. As for No Entry Mein Entry, the screenplay is hysterical. Anees (director Anees Bazmee) has cracked it, no mean feat when the first part has been so successful. Everything is multiplied in this — the jokes, gags, fun. He has succeeded in keeping the spirit of the film intact. It’s going on the floors later this year, and I’m looking forward to it.
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