Farah Ali Khan on facing insensitivity after mom Zarine Khan’s death: ‘Asked why she chose to be cremated instead of giving condolences’

Farah Ali Khan also slammed the media frenzy around Dharmendra's health scare and questioned nation's humanity. She also spoke about how Sanjay Khan's family faced insenstivity after Zarine Khan passed.

Zarine Khan's daughter remembers her. (Photo: Farah Ali Khan/Instagram)

When Zarine Khan passed away on November 7, the entire film industry was left in shock. On the same day, her son, actor Zayed Khan, performed her last rites according to Hindu traditions—an aspect that quickly made headlines, given that Zarine was born into a Parsi family and later married into a Muslim household. Reports soon emerged explaining that Zarine had been practicing Hinduism for years, and that her maiden surname was Katrak. Now, her daughter Farah Ali Khan has taken to Instagram Stories to strongly criticise those who seemed more interested in questioning why her mother was cremated as per Hindu rites than expressing condolences for the family’s loss. She also criticised a video of the Deol family that leaked from the hospital while Dharmendra was ailing and shows family’s private moments.

Farah Khan Ali’s Instagram Stories.

“My mother passed away six days ago, and there were some who were more interested in why she chose to be cremated instead of offering condolences,” she wrote.

Farah also addressed the recent media frenzy surrounding Dharmendra’s health scare, pointing out how a private video from his family made its way online. “Dharam uncle is in the hospital, and a video of his personal family goes viral,” she stated.

Story continues below this ad

She questioned the growing insensitivity within society, writing, “Are we as a nation so insensitive? Don’t public figures also have families with feelings? What happened to humanity? Why does every imbecile out here have an opinion on how others should lead their lives?”

ALSO READ | Zarine Khan funeral: Zayed Khan performs last rites as per Hindu traditions; Hrithik Roshan, Bobby Deol pay last respects

Issuing a stern reminder, she added, “Tragedy strikes all. When it’s your turn and trust me, it will be… there will be others like you hurting you the way you hurt us.”

In an earlier tribute, Farah had remembered her mother as the “epitome of humanity,” emphasising how Zarine respected every religion. She wrote, “My mother, Zarine Khan, was a very special woman. Her philosophy of life was to ‘forgive and forget.’ She was kind-hearted, loved by all, and cared deeply for everyone around her. Born a Parsi, married as a Muslim, and cremated according to Hindu rites—she epitomised humanity. She was the bond that held our family together, and her legacy is something we hope to live by.”

Story continues below this ad

It was reportedly Zarine Khan’s own wish that her final rites be conducted according to Hindu customs. Her funeral was attended by her husband Sanjay Khan, children Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Ali Khan, and Zayed Khan. Several celebrities, including her former son-in-law Hrithik Roshan and actors like Jackie Shroff and Rajat Bedi, were also present. A day later, the family held a prayer meet for the former model, interior designer, and author, with clips of heartfelt speeches by Hrithik Roshan and her grandsons Hridaan and Hrehaan surfacing online.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.