Mumbai, November 8, 2025 - The Khan family is mourning the loss of Zarine Khan, wife of veteran actor Sanjay Khan and mother of Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Khan Ali, and Zayed Khan. Zarine Khan passed away on November 7, 2025, at her Mumbai residence at the age of 81, due to age-related ailments.
A day after her mother's passing, jewelry designer Farah Khan Ali shared a touching tribute to her mother on Instagram. In her heartfelt note, Farah described Zarine as a "very special woman" known for her kind-hearted nature and the philosophy of "forgive and forget". Farah highlighted her mother's ability to unite the family and her deep care for everyone around her.
What struck many was Farah's poignant observation about her mother's unique life journey: "Born a Parsi, married as a Muslim, and cremated according to Hindu rites". This statement encapsulates Zarine's embrace of diverse faiths and her embodiment of humanity. Zarine was born into a Parsi family as Zarine Katrak. She married Sanjay Khan in 1966 and embraced the traditions of her husband's Muslim family. However, the last rites were performed according to Hindu rituals, with her son Zayed Khan leading the "dah-sanskar". Some reports suggest this was Zarine's last wish.
The decision to conduct the final rites according to Hindu traditions sparked curiosity and debate online, with many questioning why a Parsi-born woman was not following Zoroastrian practices. However, it appears to be a reflection of Zarine's inclusive spirit and the family's respect for her wishes.
Zarine Khan had a brief stint in Bollywood before dedicating herself to her family and pursuing a career as an interior designer. She appeared in films like 'Tere Ghar Ke Saamne' and 'Ek Phool Do Mali'. Her love story with Sanjay Khan reportedly began at a bus stop, a chance meeting that led to a lifelong partnership.
Zarine maintained close relationships with several Bollywood personalities. Following the news of her death, numerous celebrities visited the Khan residence to pay their respects, including Hrithik Roshan, Saba Azad, Jackie Shroff, Esha Deol, Zoya Akhtar. Social media was flooded with condolence messages from Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rani Mukerji, Gauri Khan, Neetu Kapoor, and Jaya Bachchan, among others.
Even after her daughter Sussanne's divorce from Hrithik Roshan, Zarine maintained a strong bond with her former son-in-law. She referred to him as the "father of my grandchildren" and emphasized that they would always be a family.
Zarine Khan is survived by her husband Sanjay Khan, her four children Sussanne Khan, Simone Arora, Farah Khan Ali, and Zayed Khan, and her grandchildren. Her legacy of kindness, inclusivity, and unwavering love for her family will be remembered by all who knew her.
