Farah Khan on How Bollywood Treated Shirish Kunder: ‘People Spoke to Me, Ignored Him’

Farah Khan Opens Up About Marriage, Friendships, and Why She No Longer Forces Shirish Kunder Into Bollywood Circles.

Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan is known for her sharp humor and candid personality — but she admits that her honesty hasn’t always worked in her favor. Speaking on Sania Mirza’s YouTube show Serving It Up With Sania, Farah got real about friendships in Bollywood, setting boundaries, and navigating her long marriage to filmmaker Shirish Kunder.

Reflecting on how she has mellowed with time, Farah said that age has taught her when to hold back. “Sometimes I do tend to offend my friends,” she admitted. “I’m realising as I grow older that I don’t need to tell them the truth all the time. Some friends, especially the ones in films, are becoming a bit picky.”

On Adjusting to Marriage and Public Perception
Farah spoke openly about how different she and Shirish were when they got married — and how that played out socially. “In the beginning, it was very challenging,” she recalled. “We used to fight a lot when I’d force him to come out with me.”

The filmmaker revealed that the attention she received in public often made her husband uncomfortable, especially at film industry gatherings. “Not just the industry — the world is full of a*****, so they will always focus on the person who is more successful at that point. They would talk to me and ignore my husband, and neither of us liked that,” she shared.

Eventually, the couple found a balance. “We decided that if he feels uncomfortable in certain circles, he doesn’t have to come. I want him to be happy and at peace.”

On Red Carpets and Real Connection
Farah also explained why she and Shirish prefer to keep their affection private. “We’re secure in our marriage — we don’t need to hold hands on the red carpet,” she said with a laugh. “Sometimes, I feel that the more people are holding hands on the red carpet, something’s brewing.”

Two Decades of Partnership
Farah and Shirish tied the knot in 2004 and welcomed triplets in 2008. Over the years, they’ve navigated fame, family life, and very different personalities while maintaining mutual respect and space.

Farah’s candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into how one of Bollywood’s most outspoken personalities balances honesty, humor, and love — on her own terms.