I was keen to learn about my roots: Farhan Akhtar

Actor's entire family is closely related to literature and the arts

Farhan Akhtar was keen to discover his roots and trace his ancestral legacy which lead him to take a trip to the historical Khairabad. He was welcomed by his long lost distant cousins on his arrival, reported Business of Cinema.

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The star was on a promotional tour in Lucknow for his upcoming film Lucknow Central - however, he took a detour to visit his ancestral house. He requested the team to find a way to make the visit happen.

His father, Javed Akhtar also visited Khairabad recently and it was on his return that he advised Farhan Akhtar to visit their ancestral house too. The Bollywood star was eager to learn about his origin and thus decided to pay his familial home a visit.

The Rock On 2 star is actually the descendant of a very renowned family in Khairabad but is better known as the urban guy born and raised in Bandra. His great-great grandfather Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was one of the main figures of the insurgent 1857 Indian rebellion. He is commemorated for his protest against the British. He was not only a revolutionary freedom fighter but also a religious scholar, philosopher and poet. Fazl-e-Haq has also served as a chief judge in Lucknow.

The multi-talented artist's entire family is closely related to literature. While Farhan's father Javed Akhtar is a renowned lyricist and poet, his grandfather Jan Nisar Akhtar also was an eminent poet and Bollywood lyricist.

Akhtar also paid his respects to his great-great grandfather by visiting his grave where he was introduced to his second and third cousins; connecting to his background even more."I was keen to learn about my roots and pay my respects to my ancestors," declared the actor.

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The ancestral property is a seven room bungalow shared by four families. "I’ve heard many stories about this place growing up and now, I’d like to know it better. In cities, everything grows rapidly and progresses fast but in smaller towns like Khairabad, life is slow-paced. I want to put smiles on the faces of these children." he quipped.

"I’d like to do for this place what Shabana and Baba Azmi have done for Azamgarh," expressed the Dil Dhadakne Do star. He also referred to the Mijwan Welfare society's work for children and women development.

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Akhtar interacted with the locals and children along with his family. "I’m overwhelmed by the love. I’ll definitely be back soon," he beamed.

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