Published on: October 30, 2025 | 8:06 PM IST
Renowned filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has always been admired for her candidness, humor, and strength. But in a recent conversation with tennis star Sania Mirza on her podcast Serving It Up With Sania, Farah offered one of her most personal revelations yet — her deeply emotional and physically challenging IVF journey while shooting her blockbuster film Om Shanti Om (2007).
The director, who became a mother to triplets — Diva, Anya, and Czar — in 2008, spoke openly about the difficulties she faced during the process and how her husband, filmmaker Shirish Kunder, stood by her with unconditional love and care.
🩵 Breaking the Taboo Around IVF
Farah Khan revealed that when she chose to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), it was still considered a taboo subject in India, especially among public figures. Despite that, she decided to be transparent about her experience, hoping to normalize the conversation around fertility treatments.
“I was probably one of the first celebrities to talk openly about IVF,” Farah shared. “Even though IVF was legal and common, people hardly spoke about it. It was seen as something to be hidden. I wanted to change that.”
Over the years, Farah said she has encouraged many women — both within and outside the film industry — to consider egg freezing and IVF as viable options for parenthood, especially for those pursuing demanding careers.
💔 The Physical and Emotional Struggles
Farah didn’t hold back when describing the pain and exhaustion that came with her IVF treatments — particularly because she was carrying triplets. The experience was far from easy.
“With IVF, because I was carrying triplets, the vomiting was three times worse,” she recalled. “I had rashes on my stomach and couldn’t sleep lying down — I had to use a recliner. Each baby was pressing on my bladder, so I was constantly in the loo. Then came the daily injections, either on my thigh or somewhere else. It was painful and draining.”
She went on to share that the first two IVF attempts had failed, leaving her emotionally shattered.
“When it didn’t work the first two times, I cried in bed for two days. It was heartbreaking. But I had to pull myself together and keep trying.”
During this time, Farah was also directing one of her biggest projects — Om Shanti Om, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. The film’s demanding schedule added another layer of stress to her already intense journey.
🌸 Shah Rukh Khan’s Schedule Turned Out to Be a Blessing
Farah revealed that a shooting break taken by Shah Rukh Khan during Om Shanti Om turned out to be a life-changing moment for her.
“There was a one-and-a-half-month break during the shoot. Shah Rukh, every June–July, used to go to London with his kids. That break came as a godsend for me,” she said.
It was during this break that she decided to undergo another IVF attempt — one that finally succeeded.
“I had no work at that time, so I could relax and focus on the treatment. I was sure I would get pregnant because I had only four eggs left, and I was already 42. I thought, ‘This is my last chance.’”
❤️ Shirish Kunder: A Partner Through Everything
Farah’s emotional recollection of her husband Shirish Kunder’s unwavering support during her IVF and pregnancy was one of the most touching parts of her story.
“I used to travel every alternate day on a one-and-a-half-hour drive to the hospital,” she said. “And there wasn’t a single day he didn’t come with me.”
She went on to describe how Shirish cared for her during her most vulnerable moments, doing everything possible to make her feel loved and supported.
“During my pregnancy, he bathed me, washed me, and cleaned me — all the things a husband shouldn’t have to see. But he did it with love and without complaint. Even when the IVF failed, he never made me feel pressured.”
Farah also recalled his comforting words during one of their lowest points:
“When the IVF failed, he told me, ‘What will happen if we don’t have kids? It’s fine.’ But I knew deep down how badly he wanted them. That made his support even more meaningful.”
Today, Shirish shares a close bond with their three children. Farah fondly added,
“For him, the kids are his best friends. He spends the maximum time with them.”
👩👩👦👦 A Journey from Strength to Gratitude
Farah and Shirish, who met during the making of Main Hoon Na and married in 2004, welcomed their triplets in 2008 — after years of effort, resilience, and love. The couple named their children Diva, Anya, and Czar, and Farah often describes them as her greatest blessing.
Though she keeps her personal life private, Farah occasionally shares glimpses of her family on social media — often laced with her signature humor and warmth.
Her story, she said, is one she hopes will inspire women to embrace their own journeys, without fear or shame.
“IVF is not something to hide or be ashamed of. It’s science, it’s hope, and it’s love,” she said. “Motherhood came to me late, but it came with triple joy. I’m thankful every single day.”
🌼 Conclusion
Farah Khan’s candid recollection of her IVF experience is both inspiring and deeply human — a reminder that behind her larger-than-life persona lies a woman who faced tremendous challenges with courage, humor, and faith.
Her honesty about her physical struggles, emotional setbacks, and her husband’s steadfast support paints a picture of resilience and love that goes beyond fame and success.
From directing blockbusters like Om Shanti Om while battling the rigors of IVF, to becoming a devoted mother of three, Farah Khan continues to redefine what strength looks like — proving that even the strongest women sometimes need a little help, a lot of hope, and someone who never stops believing in them.
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