Why Zarine Khan's Funeral Was Performed with Hindu & Not Muslim Customs

Veteran actress Zarine Khan, mother of Sussane Khan, Zayed Khan, Farah Khan Ali, passed away on Friday due to an age-related ailment. She was 81.

However, a specific aspect of her funeral on November 7, 2025, caught public attention and sparked questions online: Why were her last rites performed according to Hindu customs, despite her marriage into a prominent Muslim family?

The answer is a simple yet powerful testament to her personal identity and beliefs.

Rooted in Her Birth Faith

Contrary to what her married name might suggest, Zarine Khan was born a Hindu. Her birth name was Zarine Katrak, and she never converted to Islam after her marriage to Sanjay Khan. This key detail is the central reason her funeral was conducted as per Hindu traditions.

Her son, Zayed Khan, who was seen leading the final rites under the guidance of a Hindu priest, was not merely following a custom but fulfilling his mother's last wish. The ceremony was a 'dah-sanskar' (Hindu cremation), honoring the faith she was born into and lived by throughout her life.

A Union That Respected Individual Beliefs

Zarine and Sanjay Khan's marriage, which began when they tied the knot in the late 1960s, was a prominent example of an interfaith union that respected individual beliefs. Despite being married to a Muslim man for decades and being widely known as Zarine Khan, she steadfastly maintained her Hindu identity.

This personal choice was reflected in her final journey, where her grandchildren carried her mortal remains and the rituals were distinctly Hindu, attended by friends and family from all walks of life.'

The reason Zarine Khan had a Hindu funeral is straightforward: She was a Hindu by faith. Her marriage did not require her to change her religion, and her family honored that choice in life and in death, ensuring her final rites were a true reflection of her own spiritual identity.