Elegant Matriarch, Designer, And Film Alumna: Zarine Katrak And Her Remarkable Family

Basic Information

A life in motion: from silver screen to salons and studios

Zarine Katrak stepped into the public eye in the 1960s, a decade when Hindi cinema shimmered like a freshly cut gemstone. She appeared in films of that era, including Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) and Ek Phool Do Mali (1969), before gradually pivoting to the realms that would become her signature: interiors, hospitality, and the art of the table. Over time, she cultivated a reputation as an elegant host and a quietly exacting tastemaker—the person who pays attention to light, texture, and the aroma drifting from a slow-cooked pot.

Her path intertwined with that of actor-director-producer Sanjay Khan, whom she married in 1966. What followed is a five-decade-and-counting partnership that helped anchor one of Mumbai’s best-known film-and-design families. While Sanjay built sets, stories, and businesses, Zarine shaped spaces—homes, rooms, and the moods within them—bringing a refined Parsi sensibility and a modern eye to the Khan household.

The designer’s eye and the cook’s hand

Zarine’s trajectory mirrors a wider cultural shift: from the on-screen glamour of mid-century cinema to the tangible artistry of everyday living. She became known for interiors that balance warmth with restraint—rooms made for conversation, for meals that last longer than planned, and for children who grow up to build their own creative worlds. Along the way, her culinary legacy surfaced in a collection of family recipes—often described as a cookbook of Khan family favorites—celebrating dishes tested across decades of hosting, festivals, and everyday dinners. In those recipes, you sense her philosophy: generosity, clarity, and a deep respect for tradition.

Marriage and milestones: a brief timeline

• Early 1960s: Film appearances begin, including notable credits by 1963.
• 1966: Marries Sanjay Khan.
• 1969: Appears in Ek Phool Do Mali.
• 1970s–1980s: The Khan family grows; Zarine’s focus shifts increasingly to home, design, and hospitality.
• 2000: Daughter Sussanne marries Hrithik Roshan; they later divorce in 2014.
• 2003: Son Zayed Khan debuts as an actor.
• 2010s–2020s: Ongoing public presence through family events, interiors-related features, and culinary showcases.

The Khan household: a creative ecosystem

The Khan family is a study in multigenerational creativity. Each child carries a distinct aesthetic, yet the throughline is unmistakable: an appreciation for craft, presentation, and the pulse of popular culture.

Children

• Farah Khan Ali — Jewellery designer known for bold, sculptural pieces and a studio practice that bridges art and adornment. Mother to Azaan and Fizaa.
• Simone Arora (née Khan) — Entrepreneur and interiors figure (brand SIMONE), with a focus on textiles, wallcoverings, and curated lifestyle concepts. Mother to Armaan, Yuraaz, and Adah.
• Sussanne Khan — Interior and fashion designer educated at Brooks College; her portfolio blends industrial chic with warm, lived-in comfort. Mother to Hrehaan and Hridhaan.
• Zayed Khan — Actor and producer who debuted in 2003 and has worked across film and television.

Family at a glance

Grandchildren: roots and new branches

The grandchildren reflect the family’s evolving story—school milestones, creative forays, and the soft glow of celebrations that spill into social timelines.

• From Farah: Azaan Ali, Fizaa Ali.
• From Simone and Ajay Arora: Armaan Arora, Yuraaz Arora, Adah Arora.
• From Sussanne and Hrithik Roshan: Hrehaan Roshan, Hridhaan Roshan.

Names travel with variant spellings in the press—Hrehaan/Hrehan; Hridhaan/Hridaan—but the personalities remain constant: bright, energetic, and increasingly present at family gatherings and public events.

Select filmography

These credits are anchors rather than a complete list; they capture the spirit of Zarine’s early on-screen period before her creative life found a dominant expression in interiors and culinary arts.

The interior point of view

What distinguishes Zarine’s approach is a sense of lived-in luxury. Colors that breathe. Fabrics with the tactility of memory. Lighting that flatters conversation. Over the years she has been associated with the design language of her family homes and with projects connected to the Khan name, translating values—hospitality, order, and grace—into spatial experiences. It’s the kind of work that earns a reputation slowly, through rooms that feel both camera-ready and human.

Hosting as an art form

In Mumbai’s social orbit, the Khans are known for gatherings that balance glamour with warmth. Here, Zarine is the conductor—menus that nod to heritage, plating that respects the appetite, and a pace that lets stories bloom. Her recipe repertoire has been showcased in features and on-screen segments, often framed as a legacy passed down, measured in teaspoons and told in family anecdotes. It’s a quiet form of authorship, where the table becomes the book and the guests turn the pages.

A matriarch in the public eye

Zarine’s public appearances—anniversary tributes, premieres, family celebrations—offer glimpses of a durable partnership with Sanjay Khan and a close-knit clan. Over 50 years of marriage translates to countless photographs, more than a few headlines, and the steady dignity of showing up for one another. In that gallery of moments, Zarine often appears as the still point: poised, understated, and unmistakably present.

FAQ

Who is Zarine Katrak?

She is a former Hindi film actress who became a noted interior designer, culinary curator of family recipes, and a prominent matriarch in the Khan family.

Is she the same person as the younger actress named Zarine Khan?

No; Zarine Katrak (Zarine Khan/Katrak) is a different individual associated with the Sanjay Khan family.

When did she marry Sanjay Khan?

They married in 1966 and have remained public partners for decades.

How many children does she have?

She has four children: Farah Khan Ali, Simone Arora, Sussanne Khan, and Zayed Khan.

What is she best known for now?

Her interiors, hosting, and long-standing role shaping the aesthetic and culinary culture of the family.

Did she publish a cookbook?

She has been widely featured for compiling family recipes in a cookbook-style collection often cited in features and TV segments.

What films did she act in?

Her on-screen credits include 1960s titles such as Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) and Ek Phool Do Mali (1969).

What is her heritage?

She hails from the Parsi Katrak family, a detail often associated with her refined cultural sensibilities.

Are there verified details on her net worth?

No; financial figures circulating online are not officially disclosed or audited.

Which grandchildren are most often mentioned?

Hrehaan and Hridhaan (Sussanne’s sons), Azaan and Fizaa (Farah’s children), and Armaan, Yuraaz, and Adah (Simone’s children).