'They are struggling to pay rent': Farah Khan says she understands the anger of outsiders towards nepo kids

Choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan, who has given Bollywood some of its most unforgettable dance numbers and blockbusters, recently opened up about her early struggles and how they shaped her outlook on life. In a candid conversation with tennis champion Sania Mirza on Serving It Up With Sania, Farah spoke about her modest beginnings, financial insecurities, and her understanding of the resentment many outsiders feel towards “nepo babies” in the industry.

“I can understand when people come from outside to Mumbai and have anger towards nepo babies. I can understand where that anger comes from, because they’re struggling to pay their rent every month. For them, their (star kids) struggles seem very frivolous,” she said.




Farah revealed that she grew up in a home where money was always tight, a reality that still affects how she thinks and works today. “Till now, I’m insecure about money. For me, I need to be financially secure to relax, that’s the only insecurity I have. That drive to keep working is always there,” she admitted.

Looking back at her childhood, she recalled, “We saw our dad go from being very rich to very poor, and for several years, we lived hand to mouth.” Even after achieving major success as a filmmaker and choreographer, Farah said her fear of financial instability continues to motivate her to keep working hard.

Commenting on the current trend of celebrities narrating their “struggle stories” for relatability, Farah observed, “Nowadays, everyone wants a struggle story. Even those who haven’t really struggled are trying to create one out of something weird. But I’m happy that my kids won’t have one.”

Farah’s own story, however, is one of grit and determination. With no formal dance training, she learned by watching music videos and practising relentlessly. Her breakthrough came with ‘Pehla Nasha’ from ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992), which paved the way for a series of chart-topping hits like ‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena’, ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’, and ‘Desi Girl’.