Fardeen Khan reveals why he stayed away from cinema: “I needed closure after father’s death”
Fardeen Khan made a remarkable comeback to acting after 14 years of hiatus. He made a return with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix web series, Heermandi before making the big screen release Khel Khel Mein. People believed that he vanished from the industry but in reality, he was affected by his father Feroz Khan’s death and needed closure.
Fardeen Khan who was extremely disturbed by the demise of his father said, “Those two years when Dad was suffering from cancer were the toughest. I needed time for closure. His death affected me deeply.”
He further shared his struggles of returning to acting and cinema after staying away from the limelight for years. Khan resumed as a newcomer since he was concerned if the audience would accept him after all these years of disconnection from cinema. He said, “I had a lot of questions, like, will filmmakers be able to slot me into a role? Do people even want to see me? I came back with the mentality of literally starting off a new career.”
To Fardeen’s surprise, the audience positively accepted his first digital project Heermandi, and demanded more of his screen presence. His performance in Khel Khel Mein was also highly appreciated but unfortunately, the film didn’t work well at the box office. In this comedy-drama he starred alongside an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu. His third consecutive project Visfot was a crime thriller alongside Riteish Deshmukh.
Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan, a name once synonymous with charm and promise in the Hindi film industry, recently opened up about the personal struggles that led to his long absence from cinema. After a hiatus of more than a decade, the actor revealed that the tragic death of his father, legendary actor Feroz Khan, in 2009 played a crucial role in his decision to step away from the spotlight.
In a candid interview, Fardeen shared that he felt overwhelmed by the loss and needed time to heal emotionally. He explained, “After my father passed away, I found myself at a crossroad in life. The grief was immense, and I realized that I needed closure before I could move forward.” This sense of loss prompted Fardeen to prioritize his personal life over his career, a decision that would lead to a 12-year break from the film industry.
Feroz Khan, an iconic figure in Bollywood known for his larger-than-life persona, was not only a mentor to Fardeen but also his greatest inspiration. Fardeen had big shoes to fill, but with the passing of his father, he struggled to regain his footing both personally and professionally. “I looked up to him in so many ways,” Fardeen said, describing his father as someone who was not only influential in the world of cinema but also a guiding force in his life.
The loss, according to Fardeen, made him rethink many aspects of his life. “I had been on this constant treadmill for years, working non-stop, and when my father passed away, it all came crashing down. I needed time to reflect, to grieve, and to find myself again. It wasn’t just about losing a parent but losing a part of my identity,” he said.
Fardeen, who made his debut in 1998 with Prem Aggan and gained popularity through films like No Entry, Fida, and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, was at the peak of his career when he decided to take a step back. While many speculated about the reasons behind his absence, ranging from health concerns to disinterest in acting, Fardeen remained quiet until now, choosing to focus on his family life. He also spoke about how he embraced fatherhood during this period, welcoming two children with his wife Natasha Madhvani, daughter of yesteryear actress Mumtaz.
While away from the film industry, Fardeen’s transformation, both physically and emotionally, became a topic of media speculation. He faced public scrutiny over his fluctuating weight and appearance, but the actor now emphasizes that his journey was about much more than the physical changes. “People often look at you on the outside, but the battles you fight within are much harder. I was dealing with a lot of personal challenges and working on my health, both mentally and physically,” he explained.
Now, after a long period of introspection and healing, Fardeen is ready to return to the screen. He shared that he is excited about new projects and feels more centered than ever before. “I have made peace with the past. The love for cinema never went away, but now I feel like I can give it my all again,” he said with a sense of renewed passion.
Fardeen’s comeback marks not just a return to acting but a personal victory over the emotional struggles that kept him away. Fans eagerly await his next steps, as the actor prepares to make his mark on Bollywood once again, this time with a deeper sense of purpose and clarity.
