Once celebrated as a leading lady of the late 80s and 90s, Farah Naaz’s soaring career dimmed under the weight of anger, controversy and emotional turmoil.
Updated: November 14, 2025 11:57 AM IST
Bollywood has witnessed countless stars, some shine briefly, some blaze for decades, and a rare few vanish just when the audience begins to expect more. Among them was Farah Naaz, a striking beauty who ruled the late 80s and early 90s, sharing the screen with the biggest names of her time.
Her journey began with enormous promise. Her fall, many say, was just as dramatic.
How did Farah Naaz rise so quickly?
Farah entered Bollywood in 1985 with Yash Chopra’s Faasle, instantly grabbing attention as a fresh young face with expressive screen presence. Born into a family deeply connected to cinema, she was also the elder sister of Tabu, who would go on to become one of the most acclaimed actors of her generation.
Throughout the late 80s and early 90s, Farah starred alongside major names including Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Rekha and Jackie Shroff. Her filmography reflected versatility, encompassing commercial hits, family dramas, romances, and emotionally charged narratives.
Her last notable appearance was in Hulchul, which also featured Akshaye Khanna, Kareena Kapoor, Amrish Puri, Arbaaz Khan and Paresh Rawal. Audiences appreciated her performance, but the actress soon disappeared from the spotlight.
Did temper issues derail her career?
Industry chatter and old media reports highlight a pattern: Farah’s temper often overshadowed her talent.
It was alleged that she would frequently get into heated arguments on set, whether with co-stars or directors. One widely circulated story mentions that she slapped Chunky Panday during the shoot of Kasam Vardi Ki after getting offended by a joke. Another rumour claimed she once threatened Anil Kapoor after a film failed commercially.
These stories, whether exaggerated or not, created an image of unpredictability around her, something the film business rarely forgives.
What did Farah reveal about her emotional struggles?
In a 1988 interview with Filmfare, Farah made a deeply personal admission. She spoke about moments of emotional overwhelm, mentioning episodes where she had attempted to harm herself out of distress.
Her words were raw and revealing: “I wasn’t doing it to end my life… it helped me distract myself from my troubles… this was my way of troubling them.”
Farah confessed that these were impulsive acts triggered by emotional pain involving her mother, Tabu or her then-boyfriend Rajesh.
It was a rare moment of vulnerability for a star who was constantly portrayed as fiery and volatile.
What happened in Farah’s personal life?
Farah married actor Vindu Dara Singh in the 1990s after a romance that reportedly blossomed on a film set. The couple divorced in 2002 but continued to co-parent their son Fateh, born in 1997.
A year later, in 2003, Farah found love again and married actor-producer Sumit Sehgal. Since then, she has chosen a quiet life away from the film industry, rarely appearing in the public eye.
Highlights
• Farah Naaz was one of the top actresses of the 80s and early 90s, working with major stars.
• Reports of anger issues and on-set clashes gradually pushed her out of the industry.
• She later rebuilt her personal life and now stays away from Bollywood’s spotlight.
