Farah Khan Candidly Reveals Her Emotional IVF Journey

Post by : Mina Rahman

Acclaimed filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has opened up about her emotional and physical journey with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) — shedding light on the challenges, stigma, and triumphs that accompanied her path to motherhood. Speaking on Sania Mirza’s podcast Serving It Up With Sania, Farah offered an honest account of her experience, making her one of the first Indian celebrities to speak publicly about IVF, a topic long considered taboo.

Breaking Barriers in Motherhood Conversations

Farah revealed that when she chose IVF, very few people in India were willing to talk about it openly, despite it being a medically safe and legal procedure.

“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.”

Her candidness at the time helped normalise discussions around fertility treatments, encouraging more women to seek medical advice without fear of social judgment.

Emotional and Physical Struggles During Pregnancy

Describing her pregnancy as both rewarding and demanding, Farah recalled the physical toll of carrying triplets at age 42.

“Because I was carrying three babies, everything was three times harder. I had severe vomiting, stomach rashes, and couldn’t sleep lying down. Each child pressed on my bladder — I was constantly in the loo,” she shared.

Farah also mentioned that she underwent daily hormone injections and faced repeated emotional setbacks when IVF failed during her initial attempts. “When it didn’t work the first two times, I cried in bed for two days,” she said.

Interestingly, her decision to try IVF came during a break in her professional schedule while directing Om Shanti Om. She took advantage of Shah Rukh Khan’s family vacation period to rest and undergo treatment — a move that changed her life forever.

Unwavering Support from Shirish Kunder

Farah credited her husband, filmmaker Shirish Kunder, for being her emotional anchor through every stage of the process.

“Not once did he miss a hospital visit,” she said. “He took care of me completely — bathed me, cleaned me, and did everything possible to make me comfortable.”

Even when early IVF attempts failed, Shirish stayed calm, reminding her that their happiness wasn’t dependent on having children. “He told me, ‘What will happen if we don’t have kids? It’s fine,’” Farah recalled.

Their resilience paid off when the couple welcomed their triplets — Diva, Anya, and Czar — in 2008.

A Journey That Inspires Many

Farah Khan, who married Shirish Kunder in 2004 after meeting on the sets of Main Hoon Na, has since maintained a low-profile family life, occasionally sharing glimpses of her children on social media.

Her openness about IVF has inspired countless couples dealing with fertility challenges. Experts in reproductive medicine note that public figures like Farah play a crucial role in breaking stereotypes around assisted reproduction, fostering a culture of acceptance and awareness in India’s evolving healthcare landscape.

According to data from the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, the demand for IVF in India has grown significantly in the past decade, with over 2.5 lakh cycles performed annually. With increasing awareness and better access to fertility care, more couples are turning to science-backed solutions for parenthood.