Post by : Meena Ariff

Bollywood director and choreographer Farah Khan recently spoke candidly about her IVF experience and the intense emotional journey that accompanied it. In a conversation with Sania Mirza on the podcast Serving It Up With Sania, Farah recalled being among the earliest Indian celebrities to address in vitro fertilisation (IVF) publicly, at a time when it remained largely unspoken about.

Normalising IVF Conversations

Farah explained that when she opted for IVF few people discussed it openly, even though medically it was an accepted option. “I was probably one of the first public figures to talk about IVF,” she said, noting that since becoming a mother of triplets she has encouraged women to view egg freezing and IVF as legitimate paths to parenthood.

The Physical and Emotional Toll of a Triple Pregnancy

She described the amplified physical strain of carrying three babies. “Everything was essentially tripled — the morning sickness intensified, I had skin rashes and I couldn’t lie flat to sleep; I had to use a recliner,” Farah recalled. “Each baby pressed on my bladder, so I was always rushing to the loo. The daily injections were another challenge. When the first two cycles failed, I spent two days crying in bed.”

At the time, Farah was balancing work on Om Shanti Om. She said Shah Rukh Khan’s annual family break proved timely. “That one-and-a-half-month pause in June–July gave me the space to pursue IVF. I was 42 and had only four eggs left, but I was optimistic about getting pregnant,” she added.

Shirish Kunder’s Steadfast Support

Farah paid warm tribute to her husband, editor-director Shirish Kunder, for his constant support through treatment and pregnancy. “I had to commute every other day for an hour-and-a-half to the hospital; Shirish never missed a trip. He cared for me completely — bathing me, cleaning, doing things most spouses wouldn’t be expected to,” she said, emotional.

When early attempts at IVF failed, Shirish remained composed and supportive. “He said, ‘If we don’t have children, it’s okay,’ but I knew how much he wanted them,” Farah said. “Today our children are his closest companions — he spends the bulk of his time with them.”

A Story of Resilience and Hope

Farah and Shirish married in 2004 after meeting on the set of Main Hoon Na. The couple welcomed triplets — Diva, Anya and Czar — in 2008. Though Farah generally keeps family life private, she shares occasional glimpses on social media.

Her openness has offered reassurance to many navigating fertility challenges, helping to reduce stigma around assisted reproduction while underscoring the impact of determination, partnership and compassion.

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