Former actor and Sanjay Khan`s wife, Zarine Khan, passed away at her Mumbai residence in 2025. Her last rites were widely covered by the media and were attended by several celebrities. However, what sparked discussion on the internet was her son Zayed Khan performing her last rites as per Hindu rituals. Now, Zayed has addressed the backlash, revealing that it was his mother’s final wish for her ashes to be immersed in a river.
Zayed Khan addressed mother’s funeral
During a recent interview with Zoom, Zayed got emotional recalling his mother Zarine Khan’s final wish. The actor also addressed the questions raised over her Hindu funeral rites, despite her being married into a Muslim family and having Parsi roots. Zayed said that ‘insaaniyat’ (humanity) is the foremost religion in his home. The Main Hoon Na actor also revealed that his staff come from diverse backgrounds, and beyond taking care of their accommodation, food, and expenses, the Khan family also ensures their children have access to the opportunities they need.
Zayed shared, “We as a family find religion to be something very personal to you, and how you want to approach it, and not something which is better and which is worse. These are not things that are good to say. We define ourselves by being a very secular family, and we don`t need to say why.”
Revealing his mother’s last wish he recollected the day she was sitting by a ‘lovely river’, and “the thought just passed her head, saying that if I ever go, I want my ashes to flow in this river. I want to be free,” he says.
Zayed further added, “Whatever your mother`s last wishes, it will be done. It doesn`t matter what other people say. It doesn`t matter how hateful they can be. I don`t blame them, halat aise hai (situation is such), unfortunately. Unn halaton ko badalne mein waqt lagega (It will take time to change those circumstances).”
When his sister spoke abour Zarine`s Khan`s funeral
Shortly after Zarine’s death, Zayed’s elder sister Farah, had issued a statement clarifying the reason behind performing the last rites as per Hindu customs. She wrote, “My mother Zarine Khan was a very special woman. Her philosophy of life was to `Forgive and Forget.` She was kind-hearted, loved by all her friends and family and cared deeply for one and all. She was the bond that kept our family together. Born a Parsi, married as a Muslim and cremated according to Hindu rites. She epitomised Humanity and is someone whose legacy we hope to live (sic).”