Firdaus Kanga Biography: Early Life, Career, & Famous Work

Firdaus Kanga Biography: Firdaus Kanga is an inspiring personality who is known for his contributions to literature, acting and advocacy for the disabled community. Born in 1960 in Mumbai, India, into a Parsi family, Kanga has overcome certain challenges due to his condition called osteogenesis imperfecta (commonly known as brittle bone disease). Despite these obstacles, Kanga’s life story is one of resilience, creativity and a refusal to be limited by his disability. His autobiographical works and his role in the movie Sixth Happiness have made him a personality who is acclaimed in both Indian and international categories. 

Category	Details
Full Name	Firdaus Kanga
Date of Birth	1960
Place of Birth	Mumbai, India
Profession	Writer, Journalist, Actor
Famous Works	Trying to Grow, Heaven on Wheels
Film Role	Sixth Happiness (based on Trying to Grow)
Condition	Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
Associations	Met Stephen Hawking; connected with literary circles in London
Residence	London, United Kingdom

Early Life and Education

Firdaus Kanga was born into a middle-class Parsi family in Mumbai in 1960. From a young age, he faced many challenges due to his condition, which makes bones fragile and prone to fractures. 

• After being home-schooled in his early years, Kanga joined Campion School for formal education.  
• Thanks to his father’s work with TWA, Kanga had opportunities to travel to Europe, America, and England, which broadened his horizons of thinking and creativity, along with global exposure.

Also read: Roald Dahl: Biography, Books & More!

Literary Career of Firdaus Kanga

Firdaus Kanga’s literary journey began with his novel Trying to Grow, a semi-autobiographical story that features Brit Kotwal, a character who also has brittle bone disease. The novel explores, themes of disability, sexuality and cultural identity in India, breaking several taboos, Kanga refused to be portrayed as a victim. His writing reflects a strong-willed approach to life.

His second major work, Heaven on Wheels, is a travelogue that recounts his experience in the United Kingdom and his meeting with the famous scientist Stephen Hawking. Thai work highlights Kanga’s ability to blend personal narrative with broader cultural insights.

Also read: Who Is Vasantha Surya?

Famous Works of Firdaus Kanga

The famous works of Firdaus Kanga are an example which is an inspiration to many at an international level. While writing, he took the guidance of great writers like John Irving, V.S. Naipaul, Timothy Mo, aber Chaiman Mathew Evans and Paul Bailey. His work includes:

Title of Work	Year	Description
Trying to Grow	1990	A semi-autobiographical novel by Firdaus Kanga, Trying to Grow explores the themes of disability, identity, and growing up in Mumbai. The story of the semi-autobiography focuses on a boy with a physical disability and his coming-of-age journey.
The Two of Us	2000	The Two of Us is a memoir that explains the experience of Firdaus Kanga being a child with a disability, reflecting on his life, struggles, and relationships. The book also explains the bond between Kanga and his father.
Another Chance	2003	Another Chance is a personal exploration of the themes of fate and destiny. It depicts how unpredictable life is with twists that shape relationships and the future of one’s life.
The Cracked Mirror: An Indian Journey of Identity	2010	The Cracker Mirror is a reflective piece that reflects the life experience of Firdaus Kanga with the cultural aspects of India, the book examines the complexity of identity and belonging, especially from the perspective of someone with a disability.

Acting Happiness: Sixth Happiness

One of Kanga’s most important achievements was his acting in the film Sixth Happiness, released in 1997. The film was based on his novel, Trying to Grow. Kanga played the lead role of Brit Kotwal, where he portrayed a fictional character to himself. Despite initial hesitations about acting, Kanga agreed to take on the role because of the need for authenticity in portraying a disabled character. 

The movie offers a bittersweet and humorous account of his coming-of-age experience. The film’s producer insisted on casting Kanga due to the difficulty of finding an able-bodied actor who could authentically portray a disabled character.

Advocacy and Contribution to Disability Rights

Kanga has also used his platform to advocate for disability rights and challenge societal perceptions. His documentary work also includes Double the Trouble Twice the Fun, which was released in 1992 and aired on Channel Four in the UK, and Taboo, which addressed religious and social stigmas around disability.

His outspoken views on disability and sexuality have also made him a known name in both the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities in India. Kanga was one of the first public personalities to challenge India’s taboo against homosexuality and disability, advocating for a more inclusive society.

Impact and Legacy

Firdaus Kanga’s biographical story shows the power of perseverance, creativity, determination and self-expression. Despite the challenges which were posed by his condition, Kanga has made a lasting impression on literature, film and advocacy for the disabled community at large. His inclusion in The Vintage Book of Indian Writing: 1947-97 made him one of the most influential Indian authors of the past 50 years.

The Journey of Firdaus Kanga, Overcoming Challenges and Shaping Career

The life of Firdaus Kanga is an inspiring story of how to overcome challenges and pursue dreams, despite obstacles. Growing up with a disability, he faced many difficulties, but instead of letting those difficulties hold him back, Firdaus turned them into powerful stories through his writing. Instead of letting them hold him back, he turned them into powerful stories through his writing.

His works, like Trying to Grow and The Two of Us, reflect his personal journey and struggles serve valuable lessons on identity and the importance of ‘Who You Are’. Further, the career of Firdaus Kanga reflects that no matter what challenges you face, with determination and creativity, you can shape your path and inspire others.

To learn about his visit to Cambridge, watch this video:

A Short Character Sketch of Firdaus Kanga

Firdaus Kanga is an Indian writer, actor, and journalist. He was born in Mumbai in 1960 to a Parsi family. What is unique about him is that he suffers from a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, a brittle-bone condition that limited his growth to under four feet. This condition has kept him bedridden till he received his first wheelchair at the age of 19. 

He is also known for his semi-autobiographical novel, Trying to Grow. This is a coming-of-age novel by Brit Kotwal. The novel was so good that it was even adapted into a fil called Sixth Happiness. The screenplay of Sixth Happiness was written by Brit Kotwal himself. He even played the lead role in the movie. He is a witty storyteller and speaks about disability rights through his creative work.

Also Read: Great Personalities of India and of the World

Essay on Firdaus Kanga (Sample 1)

Here is a short essay on Firdaus Kanga. You can read this essay to prepare for your exams:

Firdaus Kanga’s story shows how sharing our own experiences can break down ugly stereotypes. Born into Bombay’s Parsi community with osteogenesis imperfecta—a disease that made his bones very fragile—he spent much of his childhood feeling alone and in pain. Instead of hiding, he poured those feelings into his writing with honesty and even a bit of humour. In his novel Trying to Grow, Kanga tells his own coming-of-age story through Brit Kotwal, a boy who learns to stand up for himself in a world that often sees him as “different.” We join Brit at loud Parsi celebrations and in quiet moments of first love, and we feel his mix of excitement, fear, and hope as he finds courage to be himself. When the book became the film Sixth Happiness, Kanga wrote the screenplay and played Brit on screen, showing that people with disabilities are more than sad or superhuman—they are ordinary, full people. He also writes articles and makes documentaries for places like the BBC, pushing conversations about disability, identity, and love. With his warm honesty and simple, direct style, he invites everyone to respect each person’s right to belong.

Also Read: Sudha Murthy Biography: Life, Books and Achievements

FAQs

Explore more relevant reads below

Life History Of Rudyard Kipling	Birbal Sahni: Life, Career & Achievements
Who is Raj Reddy?	Who Was Amir Khusrau?
Chittaranjan Das: Overview, Career & Legacy	Who is the Dalai Lama?
Dr. Verghese Kurien: The Father Of The White Revolution	Lakshmi Sahgal: Life, Contributions & More

This was all about Firdaus Kanga’s biography. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!