In a heartwarming and honest interview with Filmfare, legendary actress Shabana Azmi opened up about her life with husband Javed Akhtar, their differences, and the special bond they share. The couple got married on December 9, 1984, and have been together for over four decades. Shabana shared how their different backgrounds shaped their relationship, and how a simple comparison to two iconic films—Ankur and Sholay—helped her understand their dynamic better.
Shabana Azmi, who comes from a privileged and well-settled background, admitted that Javed Akhtar had a very different life growing up. He struggled a lot, even living on the streets at one point. This contrast became clearer when they had a disagreement about their house in Khandala.
Shabana had thought of it as a cozy weekend home, but Javed imagined it as a dream mansion. “Every day we would argue about it,” she revealed with a smile. She couldn’t understand why he was so emotionally attached to the house until she spoke to his close friend, Farhan Mujib.
She recalled Farhan telling her, “Look Shabana, a house fulfills a person’s dream. This man has slept on the streets and had no home. So this house is his dream. You’ve always lived comfortably. Don’t forget—you’re Ankur and he’s Sholay.”
This struck a chord with Shabana. She said, “I thought that was such a perfect way to describe us. In everything we do, I am Ankur and he is Sholay. I’ve now accepted it. I can’t change it.” The metaphor beautifully reflects the contrast between Shabana’s calm and composed nature (like her role in Ankur) and Javed’s fiery, dramatic personality (like the intensity of Sholay).
During the interview, Shabana was also asked if the couple critiques each other’s work. She confirmed that they do. “Yes, we are critical of each other and we listen carefully,” she said. Javed, known for his eye for detail, used to comment on Shabana’s expressions while acting.
“He used to say, ‘When you get angry, you open your eyes too wide. It doesn’t look good. It reminds me of Sanjeev Kumar,’” she shared, laughing. However, Javed recently praised her for her performance in Dabba Cartel, saying she was now able to show strength without using exaggerated expressions.
This beautiful glimpse into Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar’s relationship shows how love, mutual respect, and understanding can bridge even the widest gaps in background and personality. Their story continues to inspire fans and reminds us that sometimes, opposites do make the best partners.
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