Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar marked a special occasion on Friday as his elder daughter, Shakya Akhtar, celebrated her birthday. Taking to Instagram, Farhan posted a candid photo of the two dining together, both smiling as they held chopsticks. Dressed in casual attire for the outing, Farhan captioned the post with a loving nod to The Beatles: “Eight days a week… love you Shakya. Happy birthday… so proud of the person you’ve grown up to be (heart emoji) @chatdelalune.”
The warm birthday post drew a flurry of wishes from industry friends. Priyanka Chopra commented, “Wow, happy Birthday, Shakiya,” while Zoya Akhtar wrote, “Happy Birthday Baby.” Farah Khan reminisced about meeting Shakya as a child on the sets of Dil Chahta Hai, writing, “Unbelievable, this is the little baby that was on Dil Chahta Hai sets.. happy birthday shakuuu.” Hrithik Roshan added, “Happy birthday dear Shakya.”
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, Shakya’s grandmother, also celebrated the day by sharing a family photo featuring Javed Akhtar, Farhan, and Shakya. “Happy birthday darling Shakya,” she wrote. Shakya’s mother, hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani, posted a sweet message too: “Happiest Birthday to you (07/08) @chatdelalune. Always & forever.”
Shakya is Farhan’s elder daughter with his ex-wife Adhuna Bhabani, with whom he also shares a younger daughter, Akira. The couple, married in 2000, parted ways in January 2016 and finalised their divorce in April 2017. Farhan married actor-anchor Shibani Dandekar in 2022, after dating since 2018.
On the work front, Farhan will next be seen portraying Major Shaitan Singh Bhati in 120 Bahadur, directed by Razneesh “Razy” Ghai. Inspired by the legendary Battle of Rezang La, the film pays tribute to the 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who fought valiantly against an estimated 3,000 Chinese troops. Shot across Ladakh, Rajasthan, and Mumbai, the film is slated for release on November 21.