Zarine Khan (Zarine Katrak by birth) is a celebrated Indian model, interior designer, author, and costume designer of former times. Renowned for her elegant and artistic looks, Zarine is best known for being the wife of Bollywood veteran actor, director, and producer Sanjay Khan. Zarine has made herself quite a name in high fashion, luxury interior architecture, and cooking through the years, forming a part of one of the most famous Indian cinema’s families.
Who is Zarine Khan?
Zarine Khan is a well-known personality in the high society and entertainment scene in India. Starting off in the world of glamour as one of the best models of fashion in the 1960s, Zarine Khan has been associated in bit roles in Hindi films as well as an initial designer in costume design for Bollywood movies. After marrying Sanjay Khan, who is a super star in India, she shifted her career towards interior designing along with writing about food. She is also the mother of a talented family comprising of Zayed Khan, Sussanne Khan, and Farah Khan Ali.
Zarine Khan Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Name | Zarine Khan |
| Full Name | Zarine Katrak Khan |
| Birth Name | Zarine Katrak |
| Date of Birth | July 12, 1944 |
| Age | 81 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka, India |
| Birth Sign (Zodiac) | Cancer |
| Home Town | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Family Roots | Parsi (Zoroastrian) descent |
| Profession | Former Model, Costume Designer, Interior Designer, Author |
| Fame | Renowned Interior Designer; Wife of Sanjay Khan |
| Marital Status | Married |
Zarine Khan Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
| Parameter | Specification |
| Height (approx.) | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight (approx.) | 62 kg (136 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown / Black |
| Hair Color | Black / Dark Brown |
| Figure Type | Slim & Elegant |
| Distinctive Features | Graceful posture, classic Parsi aesthetic, refined sartorial sense |
Zarine Khan Early Life and Education Details
Zarine Katrak was born into an educated, aristocratic Parsi family in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Growing up in a culturally vibrant environment, she developed a keen sense of aesthetics, art, and fashion from a young age.
She completed her schooling at St. Joseph’s Convent School in Bengaluru. Rather than pursuing traditional higher university education, her artistic leanings drew her quickly toward the fashion and modeling industry in Mumbai, where her distinct look and charm immediately captured attention.
Zarine Khan Profession
Zarine Khan has pursued a multi-faceted career across several artistic industries:
- Modeling: Started as a high-fashion runway and print model in the 1960s.
- Film & Costume Design: Worked briefly in Hindi films and transitioned to costume design for major Indian cinematic ventures.
- Interior Architecture & Design: Established a successful boutique interior design practice, transforming luxury residences and commercial spaces.
- Culinary Author: Authored renowned cookbooks showcasing legacy Parsi and Royal Indian recipes.
Career: Rise to Fame
Zarine’s rise to prominence began on the fashion catwalks of 1960s India. Her innate poise made her a staple face for leading print advertisements and textile brands of the era.
After marrying Sanjay Khan, she redirected her creative energies from modeling toward design. She established herself as one of Mumbai’s most sought-after celebrity interior stylists, known for fusing classic luxury with contemporary spaces. Her design sensibility earned her a elite clientele across corporate, entertainment, and social circles.
Filmography
While primary focused on modeling and design, Zarine made brief onscreen appearances during the 1960s:
- Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963): Cameo / supporting role alongside Dev Anand and Nutan.
- Ek Phool Do Mali (1969): Worked on styling and costume selection.
Television
Although not a mainstream television actress, Zarine Khan has appeared on multiple televised lifestyle showcases, design talk shows, and high-profile family documentary interviews celebrating the legacy of the Khan film dynasty and luxury living.
Awards and Nomination
Over her long career, Zarine has earned recognition in design, lifestyle, and social enterprise:
- Lifestyle & Design Icon Recognition: Honored at various Indian interior design and architecture forums.
- Culinary Excellence Recognition: Celebrated for her contributions to preserving traditional Parsi heritage cooking through print and media.
Religion and Ethnicity
Zarine Khan belongs to the Parsi ethnic community and follows Zoroastrianism. The Parsi community in India is celebrated for its historic contributions to industry, art, and social culture. Following her marriage to Sanjay Khan (who is Muslim), the couple raised their family in an open, inclusive environment celebrating both Zoroastrian and Islamic cultural traditions.
Zarine Khan Husband
Zarine Khan tied the knot with the renowned actor, director, and producer Sanjay Khan, whose real name is Shah Abbas Ali Khan, on April 16, 1966. The two met while Zarine was working as a model and were soon in love.
Sanjay Khan gained fame as an actor in the Hindi film industry in the 1960s and 1970s through films like Dosti and Eslam-e-Ishq. He later went on to direct the famous TV show titled The Sword of Tipu Sultan.
Family: Parents, Kids, Siblings, and Relatives
Maternal & Paternal Family (Parents & Siblings)
- Father: Burjor Katrak
- Mother: Sheroo Katrak
- Brother: Shapoor R. Katrak
- Sisters: Nergish Katrak and Daisy Katrak
Immediate Family (Children & Spouses)
- Children:
- Farah Khan Ali (Celebrity Gemologist & Jewelry Designer)
- Simone Khan Arora (Creative Director & Interior Stylist)
- Sussanne Khan (Renowned Interior & Spatial Designer; ex-wife of actor Hrithik Roshan)
- Zayed Khan (Bollywood Actor)
In-Laws & Extended Extended Relatives
- Brothers-in-Law: Feroz Khan (Late legendary actor/filmmaker), Akbar Khan (Filmmaker), Sameer Khan
- Nephew: Fardeen Khan (Actor, son of Feroz Khan)
- Grandchildren: Hrehaan Roshan, Hridhaan Roshan, Zidaan Khan, Aariz Khan, Azaan Ali, Fizaa Ali, Armaan Arora, Yuraaz Arora, and Adah Arora.
Controversies
Throughout her life, Zarine Khan has navigated high-profile public attention with poise:
- The Tipu Sultan Fire Accident (1989): Zarine stood firmly by her husband Sanjay Khan during his near-fatal accident on the sets of The Sword of Tipu Sultan, managing family and recovery through long hospitalizations.
- Personal Life Trials: The family was subjected to heavy media scrutiny in the late 1970s and early 1980s regarding Sanjay Khan’s personal life and career developments. Zarine maintained complete privacy and dignity through these periods.
Travel and Destinations
- Favorite Destinations: London, Swiss Alps, South of France, and Bengaluru.
- Travel Style: Prefers heritage architecture tours, art galleries, luxury boutique stays, and coastal retreats.
Zarine Khan Favorites
- Food: Authentic Parsi dishes (Dhansak, Patra Ni Machhi) and Royal Awadhi cuisine.
- Color: White, Off-White, Gold, and Pastel shades.
- Actor: Sanjay Khan, Feroz Khan, Dev Anand.
- Style Quotient: Elegant sarees, tailored chic suits, and vintage statement jewelry pieces.
- Hobbies: Home decor curation, cooking, gardening, and hosting social gatherings.
Zarine Khan Net Worth Breakdown
Zarine Khan’s estimated personal net worth (combined with luxury properties and venture shares) reflects decades of enterprise:
- Estimated Combined Net Worth: ₹50 Crore – ₹100 Crore INR (approx. $6M – $12M USD)
- Real Estate Assets: Shares in prime residential properties in Mumbai and luxury real estate ventures.
- Business Holdings: Stakes in family-run design companies and commercial ventures.
Income Source
- Interior Design Consultancy: Direct fees for luxury architectural and interior projects.
- Business Ventures & Directorships: Active directorial roles in high-end design, jewelry, and agro-tech corporate firms.
- Book Royalties: Revenue generated from publication sales of her culinary and lifestyle books.
Zarine Khan Social Media
Zarine Khan maintains a subtle yet elegant presence on social platforms, sharing family memories, design projects, and heritage recipes:
- Instagram: @zarinekhan1207
Love Story and First Meeting
The story of Zarine Katrak and Sanjay Khan starts with a random meeting in a bus stand in Mumbai in the early 1960s. While Zarine had already become a famous model of that era, Sanjay was just trying to make his way into the film industry through Hindi films. They met each other, fell in love, and married in 1966.
Notable Interior Design Projects
Beyond her modeling and costume styling, Zarine built a successful practice as a celebrity interior designer.
- The Golden Palms Hotel & Spa (Bengaluru): One of her largest commercial projects, where she led the spatial interior conceptualization.
- High-Profile Residential Styling: Styled luxury private apartments and villas in Mumbai for various corporate executives and entertainment industry figures.
- Collaboration with Daughters: Worked closely alongside her daughters, Sussanne Khan and Simone Arora, who went on to launch their own spatial and interior design brands.
Authorship & Culinary Legacy
In addition to design, Zarine Khan gained recognition as an author with her cookbook titled Family Secrets: Recipes from the Khan Kitchen. The book documented generations-old culinary heritage, blending:
- Traditional Parsi recipes passed down through her maternal family.
- Royal Awadhi & Mughlai delicacies from the Khan family’s culinary traditions.
Passing and Legacy
Zarine Khan passed away on November 7, 2025, at her residence in Mumbai at the age of 81 due to a sudden cardiac arrest following age-related health issues. Her funeral and memorial services were attended by family members and several figures from the Indian film industry who paid tribute to her life and work.
Conclusion
Zarine Khan is not just a celebrity wife; she is someone who has broken new grounds, becoming a successful designer and author. Through her grace and perseverance and through her dedication to art and design, Zarine Khan has become an icon of Indian creativity and continues to inspire many young people through her work as a successful model-turned-designer and author. She is also part of a family whose influence is felt in the realms of fashion, films, and space design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zarine Khan
Who was Zarine Khan?
Zarine Khan (born Zarine Katrak) was an Indian former model, interior designer, author, and costume designer.
What was Zarine Khan’s maiden name and ethnic background?
Her birth name was Zarine Katrak. She was born into a Parsi family and followed Zoroastrianism.
When did Zarine Khan pass away?
Zarine Khan passed away on November 7, 2025, at the age of 81 in Mumbai due to age-related health issues and cardiac arrest.
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