Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has opened up about raising her three children while navigating the responsibilities of being part of the “sandwich generation” — a phase of life in which people often find themselves caring for both their children and ageing parents.
Reflecting on the experience, Farah shared a heartfelt message about recognising and supporting caregivers. She said she hopes her children will learn to acknowledge and care for those who put the needs of their loved ones first.
Sharing photographs with her triplets on social media, Farah wrote, “Me with my three Im part of the sandwich generation.. at that age when we either are caregivers to our parents or to our kids.. sandwiched in between! One day these three will be sandwiched too, looking after me, n their kids. Im not being dramatic, thats just what it is, n frankly good luck to them because im going to be a nightmare.”
She highlighted how caregivers often receive little attention, as the focus understandably remains on the person receiving care.
“Today, if u look after someone u love, u do it with nothing. Nobody asking how ur holding up, because everybody is asking about the patient, n quite rightly. We don’t think about these people much. We just say shes a good daughter, hes a devoted son. As if its a personality trait n not the hardest job either of them will ever do. I dont want that to be what my children inherit. Id like them to ask the person doing the caring how they are,” she wrote.
Farah added that even a small gesture of acknowledgement can make a difference, emphasising that caregivers also need care and emotional support.
“N that starts very small. One question, or even a little hug of acknowledgment.. every strong person sometimes needs to be cared for too. This is something we’ll all go through at some point This is for all the caregivers, the pure souls out there putting everyone else first.. hope ur ok n taken care of too,” she said.
She also revealed that a film by social media account @mrmedhq prompted her to reflect on her children and the experiences of caregivers, encouraging people to share it with someone who may need recognition and support.
Farah Khan and her husband, filmmaker Shirish Kunder, are parents to triplets who were born in February 2008 through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).