Happy birthday Sajid Khan | Know controversies surrounding the filmmaker

Lucknow: Filmmaker Sajid Kamran Khan is celebrating his 47th birthday today. Born on 23 November 1971, Sajid Khan is an Indian filmmaker, scriptwriter, talk show host, presenter and actor.

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Sajid Khan is the son of former actor Kamran Khan and his wife Menaka Khan (née Irani). He has one sister, Farah Khan, who is a choreographer, director, producer and actor. Farah is married to Shirish Kunder, also a producer, editor and director of films. Khan has other connections to the film industry: former actresses Honey Irani and Daisy Irani are his mother's sisters and filmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar are his maternal cousins.

Khan completed his primary education from Maneckji Cooper School in Mumbai and then attended Mithibai College to complete his graduation. At age 16, while yet a college student, he started DJ-ing at various parties and social events.

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Khan started his career as a host of the TV show Main Bhi Detective in 1995. He then hosted a music countdown show Ikke Pe Ikka in 1996. The show entered the Limca Book of Records as the longest running countdown show to be aired on Indian television with the same host.

Controversies

Allegations of sexual harassment

In October 2018, Sajid was accused of sexual harassment by several female colleagues such as Mandana Karimi, Saloni Chopra, Rachel White, Simran Suri and journalist Karishma Upadhyay through the "Me Too" Movement in India. He was heavily criticised by actors such as Akshay Kumar and Bipasha Basu after which he stepped down from the Directorship of Housefull 4. Khan was eventually replaced by Farhad Samji, who co-directed Housefull 3, as director of Housefull 4.

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On 15 October 2018, The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association issued a showcause notice to Khan. “Your...actions have brought disrepute to Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association,” read the notice. It further noted that they expected an explanation from Khan "for such offensive behaviour within seven days of the receipt of the notice for further action as per the rules and regulations… In case of no reply, ex-parte decision would be taken.”