Gulfam Khan was born in Mumbai, as a daughter of Pathan parents who were settled in Bombay, now known as Mumbai. She was brought up in a family with 4 siblings. She attended school at Silver Beach High School, Juhu and later graduated from Tolani College of Commerce in Mumbai.

Gulfam Khan's family hails from Punjab's Tarn Taran district. Her grandfather, a land developer, migrated there before the Partition of India in 1920s. Her father was a businessman and her mother was a housewife. Gulfam is known in the industry as a Tech Junkie, and she is also fond of painting.

Khan made her acting debut in 2003, as Guddi, in the TV Series Lipstick. She has worked under well-known banners of the Mumbai Film Industry and with several producers and directors, for several television serials and movies (Ref the following section "Filmography"). She has recentlyTemplate:Clarify timeline been cast in Amir-Khan Starrer movie Talaash. In addition to her on-screen contribution, Gulfam Khan started writing screenplays in 2007. Gulfam has co-written some movie screenplays including Hisss with Jennifer Lynch. Gulfam has also written Comedy Circus Season-1 for Sony Entertainment Television (India). Gulfam has just completedTemplate:Clarify timeline working in Nagesh Kukunoors next movie Laxmi by National Award winning director Nagesh Kukunoor, which has recently been sent for nominations to various film festivals. In June 2013. Gulfam wrapped up an episodic show called Savdhan India on Life OK Channel.

Gulfam is currentlyTemplate:Clarify timeline looking to diversify her casting profile. After playing brothel owner Rasili Bai in Ghar Ki Lakshmi... Betiyann, a madame in the movie Talaash and a slum queen — a boss of all bad deeds — in Mann Mein Hai Vishwas, she has turned down two films and one soap, Bani — Ishq Da Kalma, which required her to repeat the role. She has received several appreciations from the industry for her various contributions in television and cinema.