Farah Khan blames Ayan Mukerji's father for poverty. (Photo: Ayan Mukerji/Farah Khan/Instagram)

Farah Khan is regarded as one of Bollywood’s most successful choreographers and filmmakers today, but her childhood was marked by immense struggle after her father lost everything backing a film that bombed at the box office. During a recent visit to actress Tanisha Mukerji’s home — cousin of filmmaker Ayan Mukerji — Farah recalled how actor Deb Mukherjee unknowingly became linked to one of the toughest phases of her life.

Speaking candidly, Farah joked, “Because Debu is Ayan’s father, I always tell Ayan Mukerji that it’s because of your dad that we became poor.” A stunned Tanisha responded, “What?”

Farah then explained: “My dad made his first big colour film (Aisa Bhi Hota Hai) in which Deb Mukherji was the hero.…