Farhan Akhtar (born 9 January 1974) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer and television host.

Born in Mumbai to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, he grew up under the influence of the Hindi film industry.

Farhan, after establishing a production company named Excel Entertainment along with Ritesh Sidhwani, made his directorial debut with the coming-of-age comedy-drama Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and received widespread critical acclaim for portraying the modern Indian youth.

Following it, he directed the war film Lakshya (2004) and had his Hollywood debut through the soundtrack of Bride and Prejudice (2004), for which he wrote the lyrics.

(2008), for which he won a second National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi as producer, and indulged in further experimentation before he wrote the dialogues, produced and acted for the critical and commercial success Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which won him four Filmfare Awards, including Best Supporting Actor.