‘I Was Stamping Over Her Rights’: Shabana Azmi on Marrying Javed Akhtar

New Delhi | 19 April 2025 — Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently opened up about her marriage to renowned lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, offering rare insight into her personal journey and the emotional complexities that came with it. Speaking to Filmfare, the acclaimed actor admitted that marrying Akhtar in 1984 came at a cost—particularly to his first wife, Honey Irani.

In a candid reflection, Azmi acknowledged that while she was seen as a feminist icon, her actions at the time didn’t align with the ideals she championed. “I was this feminist model. And I had done something that was inexplicable. Because it was like, with everything that I said, I was stamping over another woman’s rights for my own happiness,” she said.

Javed Akhtar was previously married to Honey Irani, a writer and former actress, with whom he shares two children—director Zoya Akhtar and actor-director Farhan Akhtar. When Azmi and Akhtar tied the knot, it caused a stir, with many questioning how someone who had long stood for women’s rights could be part of a situation that seemed to contradict those values.

Shabana Azmi admitted that the backlash was understandable, especially from those who looked up to her for her feminist stance. However, she explained that rather than attempt to justify her actions publicly, she chose silence to avoid deepening the pain for everyone involved.

“What I figured was that if I started explaining the circumstances in which it had been done, it would lead to much more hurt for the people involved and the families involved. It was better to keep quiet,” she said. Azmi added that over time, the public outrage “died down,” and her silence turned out to be a “sagacious decision.”

Despite the rocky beginning, Shabana Azmi revealed that her relationship with Honey Irani has evolved into a “very healthy equation.” She credited the lack of public mud-slinging for making that possible. “That was possible only because there was no mud flinging,” she said.

This rare admission from the iconic actress offers a glimpse into the emotional struggles behind a high-profile marriage in the public eye. It also reflects her growth, both as a public figure and a person who has learned from the contradictions in her life.

Today, all three women—Shabana Azmi, Honey Irani, and Zoya Akhtar—are respected voices in their own right in the Indian film industry. Azmi continues to act in films and champion social causes, while Honey Irani and her children have made their own mark as storytellers and filmmakers.

The revelation is a reminder of the nuanced realities behind even the most seemingly glamorous lives, and how time, empathy, and introspection can lead to understanding and healing.