Farah Khan Ali on losing her mother Zarine Khan: It shattered me in ways I never thought possible

Jeweller Farah Khan Ali unveiled her new boutique recently. At the heart of it lies an emotional tribute, as she shares that her latest “collection is a love letter to her mother Zarine Sanjay Khan”. “She is my first muse and the woman who shaped my understanding of beauty. It is profoundly personal to me,” Farah tells Mirror.

“LOSING HER SHATTERED ME IN WAYS I NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE”

Farah, daughter of veteran actor Sanjay Khan and sister to Zayed Khan, lost her mother last year. In one of her most vulnerable moments, she opens up about the depth of that grief with striking honesty. She says, “My mother was far more than a parent to me. She was my universe, my closest confidante, my best friend, my soulmate, and the person I turned to for everything. Losing her so suddenly shattered me in ways I never thought possible. It has been almost five months, and yet the loss still feels unbearably fresh.”

Navigating grief while continuing to function has been one of her biggest challenges. Reflecting on that phase, she shares, “You never truly get over grief; you simply learn to carry it. For the first two months, I felt almost numb, like I was moving through life in a daze, with very little interest in anything.”




What slowly helped her find her footing again was her mother’s enduring voice and values. She recalls, “She always said, ‘No matter what, one must always dress up, show up, and smile.’ Those words stayed with me, and little by little, I found the strength to gather myself again.”

'People can be surprisingly insensitive towards public figures'

The loss also played out in the public eye, drawing both empathy and, at times, insensitive commentary on social media. Addressing the scrutiny — and her own strong response to it — Farah speaks candidly about navigating judgment as a public figure. She says, “People can be surprisingly insensitive towards public figures, often forgetting that public visibility does not make grief any less private or painful. What it ultimately taught me is that when you are a public figure, there will always be people who choose judgment over empathy. But it also reminded me that the right response to negativity is not bitterness. It is grace, restraint, and staying true to what you know in your heart is right.”

“I DO NOT REALLY SEE KARAN JOHAR AS COMPETITION”

In an industry where several well-known names have entered the jewellery space — including Karan Johar and Neelam Soni— Farah doesn't look at them as competitions. She clarifies, "“I have been designing jewellery for more than three decades, and unlike Neelam who by the way is a childhood friend of mine, and comes from a jewellery background. Having started much earlier than both Karan and Neelam, I built my brand independently into one that is recognised globally today. The only real commonality between the three of us is our connection to Bollywood — Karan through cinema, Neelam through acting, and me through my family lineage of actors," she clarifies.

“IF THE RIGHT ROLE CAME MY WAY, I MIGHT JUST BE TEMPTED”

Despite growing up surrounded by cinema, acting was never a path she actively pursued. Offering insight into that choice, Farah says, "I grew up around film sets, watching my father at work in studios where actors would spend endless hours in makeup and waiting around before they were even called for their first shot. Very early on, I realised that acting was perhaps not as glamorous as it seemed from the outside. Because I saw that world so closely, some of its mystique wore off for me. My father was also quite clear that he did not want any of his daughters to go into acting, so it was never something we seriously considered. I was approached a few times when I was younger, but I always declined because I knew he would never have approved. That said, life has taught me never to say never. If the right role came my way today, I might just be tempted to try it. I have always believed that one should attempt something at least once in life — and who knows, I may even surprise myself," she elaborates.

“I am Open to the idea of a reality show'

While films may still be a distant possibility, Farah is open to exploring other formats — albeit on her own terms. With personalities like Maheep Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni stepping into reality television, she reflects on whether she would consider a similar move. She says, "I am open to the idea of reality-based shows, but only if they offer both entertainment and substance. I would not choose to participate in something purely for visibility. I would be far more drawn to formats around travel, design, or fitness — areas that feel authentic to who I am. That said, I would not be comfortable with a show that is centred solely around exposing one’s personal life for entertainment. I believe in choosing work that aligns with my purpose and adds value in some way. For me, it has never been just about money or fame. It must feel meaningful and rooted in something deeper."Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”