Laila Khan Furniturewalla makes a powerful return with ‘Untamed Heart’—a journey of emotion, spirit, and self

It’s rare to witness an artist pour their heart so completely into a space, but Laila Khan Furniturewalla’s solo exhibition Untamed Heart did just that. Unveiled on April 4, the preview evening had a vibrant energy—brought to life by the evocative artworks and a sense of warmth and pride that filled the room.

Family and close friends from the film and art world—Kajol, Sanjay Khan, Fardeen Khan, Sundri Khan, Zayed Khan, Esha Deol, Raveena Tandon, Alaya F, Abhishek Kapoor, and Bhagyashree among others—came together to celebrate the artist's return after an 18-year hiatus.

Furniturewalla, at the exhibition, greeted me with the kind of sincerity that immediately puts one at ease. Standing amidst her textured, layered canvases, she explained, “This has been in the works for a very long time. I’m celebrating breaking free (and) I’m celebrating my emotions in the most honest way I can.”

Untamed Heart is exactly what the name suggests—art led by feeling, intuition, and the deep need to express without boundaries. After years of building a successful design business, raising a family, and pouring her creative energy into interiors, she returned to the canvas only when it truly felt right. “I think life decides that,” she says. “This is happening when it’s supposed to happen. It couldn’t be earlier.”

The collection reflects a raw, emotional, and spiritual evolution. Her work explores the layers that exist behind human expressions. “My work explores the unseen within the human face—portraits that mirror internal struggles, dualities, and the tension between revealing and concealing one’s true self.”

It’s easy to get lost in her pieces—partly because they don’t demand to be understood. Instead, they invite you to feel. Laila uses reflective materials, pigment, gold, lava, sand, and metal to create canvases that are deeply tactile and meditative. “The materials I use are all from the earth—because that’s where we come from and that’s where we’re going to go.”

Spirituality pulses through her art, most noticeably in pieces inspired by Lord Ganesh. “His form is very powerful,” she shared. “That aura is the centre of energy in these works.” But it’s not about religion—it’s about energy, about the search for something greater than the visible world.

Her personal favourite from the collection—a hauntingly beautiful piece titled Wish You Were Here—stood quietly in a corner, drawing viewers in with its aching vulnerability. “It’s rooted in a deep sense of longing,” Khan-Furniturewala explained as we stood in front of it together. “The figure merges with nature, almost dissolving into it—a reflection of continuity, and an unbreakable connection beyond physical presence.” Made from pigment, sand, metal, and acrylic on canvas, the piece captures that invisible thread between memory and life, presence and absence.

The show also pays a quiet tribute to her parents—Feroz Khan and Sundri. “My mother recognised the artist in me before I did. She told me I’m going to be an artist and made sure of it,” she said with a smile. “My father was my biggest critic. He never flattered me, which was challenging, but it made me look at myself honestly. That’s the only way you grow.”

Khan-Furniturewala’s return to art isn’t a one-time thing—it marks the beginning of a new chapter. “I don’t want it to go anywhere,” she told me with quiet conviction. “I’m painting full-time now. I love my calligraphic work. I want to do more of that. I’m just happy being in the studio again.” There’s a sense of peace in her voice, as if she’s finally found her way back home.

That sense of clarity also shapes the advice she offers to fellow artists—especially those who may have stepped away from their creative path and are wondering if it’s too late to return. “Never give up,” she says with warmth. “Paint every day, even a little. Stay in touch with it. It keeps your heart alive.” It’s a gentle reminder that art, at its core, is less about output and more about connection—both to the self and to the world around us.

And in today’s world—one increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence—Laila’s perspective on art as a deeply human act feels more relevant than ever. “AI should not take over,” she says thoughtfully. “It can be a tool, but it can’t replace the hand. I love working with my hands, with layers, because it makes things come alive.”

Untamed Heart isn’t just a return—it’s a revelation. A reminder that even in a world of speed and digital noise, there’s still space for emotion, for peace, spirituality, and for a heart that chooses to speak purely. 

All images: from the brand