Farah Khan Opens Up About Her IVF Journey and Motherhood

Bollywood filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has candidly opened up about her IVF journey and the emotional rollercoaster that came with it. Speaking to Sania Mirza on the podcast Serving It Up With Sania, Farah reflected on how she became one of the first celebrities in India to speak publicly about in vitro fertilisation (IVF) — a topic that was considered taboo at the time.

Breaking the Silence Around IVF

Farah shared that when she decided to undergo IVF, very few people talked about it openly, despite the procedure being medically and legally acceptable. “I was probably the first celebrity to discuss IVF publicly,” she said. “Since having my triplets, I’ve encouraged many women to consider egg freezing and IVF as valid options for motherhood.”

Facing the Challenges of IVF and Pregnancy

Opening up about her experience, Farah described the physical and emotional difficulties of carrying triplets. “Because I was carrying three babies, everything was three times harder. The vomiting was worse, I had stomach rashes, and I couldn’t sleep lying down — I had to sleep on a recliner,” she recalled. “Each child was pressing on my bladder. I was constantly in the loo. Then came the daily injections — on my thigh or somewhere else. When it didn’t work the first two times, I cried in bed for two days.”

At the time, Farah was also busy directing Om Shanti Om. She revealed that Shah Rukh Khan’s annual family vacation became an unexpected blessing. “During that one-and-a-half-month break in June–July, I finally had time to relax and undergo IVF. I was 42 then and had only four eggs left, but I was sure I’d get pregnant.”

Shirish Kunder’s Unconditional Support

Farah also expressed deep gratitude to her husband, Shirish Kunder, for his unwavering support throughout her IVF journey and pregnancy. “I had to travel every alternate day for a one-and-a-half-hour drive to the hospital, and not once did Shirish miss a trip. He took care of me completely — he bathed me, washed me, cleaned me, and did things no husband should have to do,” she shared emotionally.

Even when IVF failed in the early attempts, Shirish remained calm and supportive. “He told me, ‘What will happen if we don’t have kids? It’s fine.’ But I knew how much he wanted them,” Farah said. “Today, our kids are his best friends — he spends most of his time with them.”

A Journey of Love and Resilience

Farah Khan married film editor Shirish Kunder in 2004 after meeting on the sets of Main Hoon Na. The couple welcomed their triplets — Diva, Anya, and Czar — in 2008. Over the years, Farah has kept her family life private, occasionally sharing glimpses of their bond on social media.

Her story serves as a beacon of hope for many aspiring parents navigating fertility challenges. Farah’s openness about her IVF experience not only breaks the stigma surrounding assisted reproduction but also highlights the power of love, resilience, and unwavering partnership.