[tps_footer]Born on January 9, 1974, Farhan Akhtar turns forty today and to celebrate the occasion, his family along with his close friends brought in his birthday at his residence last night.

Javed Akhtar came along with Shabana Azmi, mother Honey Irani, friends Reema Kagti and Ritesh Sidhwani and cousin Farah Khan were the few who were present to ring in his birthday. Wife Adhuna Bhabani Akhtar welcomed all the guests while both their daughters Shakya and Akira were seen excitedly running around. The duo was happy being the center of attraction along with their father.

Farhan is, in the true sense, a complete package – an ace director, one of the most sought after producers, a prolific writer, a great musician and last but not the least, a great actor.

The multi talented Farhan has always taken up interesting roles and directed films that are not run-of-the-mill. He began his career as an apprentice in cinematography and direction for Yash Chopra‘s Lamhe (1991) when he was seventeen years old. He later shifted to an advertisement production house to spend an approximate three years there. He also assisted Pankaj Parashar as a director in Himalay Putra (1997) before directing his first film film Dil Chahta Hai (2001).

Currently though, he is on a break from direction as his hands are busy with many projects as an actor. Apart from Shaadi Ke Side Effects with Vidya Balan that is ready for release on February 28, 2014, the actor is all set to play a polygamist in Reema Kagti’s next. He is also training to essay a role of a police officer in Raees where he shares screen space with Shah Rukh Khan.

Apart from his cinematic endeavours, he is also known to take up social causes. Men Against Rape and Discrimination or MARD is a social campaign launched that was launched by Akhtar to raise awareness amongst men on gender equality and respect for women. The idea came to Akhtar when in August 2012, Pallavi Purkayastha, a lawyer by profession, was sexually assaulted and then killed by her home watchman.

Here’s wishing Farhan Akhtar a very Happy Birthday!![/tps_footer]