The Turbulent Life of Maneka Irani: Farah Khan’s Mother’s Struggles with Marriage, Finances, and Alcoholism
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/27th July 2024
Maneka Irani, the late mother of celebrated filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan and director Sajid Khan, led a life fraught with adversity, particularly after her husband’s film career faltered. Though Maneka was not directly involved in the Hindi film industry, her life was intricately tied to the world of cinema, experiencing both its highs and lows.
Maneka’s husband, Kamran Irani, transitioned from being a stuntman to a filmmaker, achieving initial success before his career took a downturn. His most ambitious project, Ilzham (1970), featuring Dara Singh, was a commercial failure. The financial strain that followed was severe, as Kamran had invested his own money into the film. As a result, they faced significant financial losses, including the repossession of valuable assets such as Maneka’s jewelry, their cherished gramophone, and two flats in Mumbai. Eventually, the family was forced to relocate to a smaller apartment in Nehru Society, Juhu.
Kamran’s inability to cope with the failure led him down a destructive path of alcoholism. Farah Khan, in a recent podcast on BHARTI TV, recounted the grim reality of living with an alcoholic father. She described how Kamran’s addiction began early in the day and resulted in a household filled with tension and frequent arguments over trivial matters. Farah shared the fear and distress she and her brother Sajid experienced, recalling moments of traumatic outbursts and damaged property that went unrepaired due to financial constraints.
The breaking point for Maneka came when she decided to leave her husband. With no personal home or career to fall back on, she moved with her two children into the home of her sister, Honey Irani. Honey, also separated from her husband, screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar, was raising her own children—Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar—who would later achieve fame in the film industry as well. This period of displacement marked a significant turning point in Maneka’s life.
Despite the hardships, Maneka’s resilience shone through. Farah Khan, who initially worked as a background dancer to support her family, eventually rose to prominence as a leading choreographer in the 1990s. The difficult experiences of her youth, while painful, contributed to her determination and success in the film industry.
The saga of Maneka Irani’s life is a testament to her strength and perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges. Her story, marked by personal and financial turmoil, highlights the often unseen struggles behind the glamorous facade of the film industry.
