Shabana Azmi opens up about dealing with husband Javed Akhtar’s alcoholism, comments on Salim-Javed’s separation
Shabana Azmi opens up about dealing with husband Javed Akhtar’s alcoholism, comments on Salim-Javed’s separation
Despite 37 years passing since Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar parted ways, Salim-Javed remains one of the most celebrated screenwriting duos in Indian cinema history. Although many have speculated and tried to uncover the real reason for their split, it remains a mystery to date. Recently, legendary actor and Javed's wife Shabana Azmi commented on the writers' separation.
The five-time National Film Award-winning actor addressed the topic while appearing on Salim Khan's son, actor Arbaaz Khan's talk show, The Invincibles. "Salim-Javed was at the peak of their career," Arbaaz remarked, recalling the '80s, in a teaser for the upcoming episode. "Till today, I do not know why Salim-Javed split up," Shabana responded. This episode marks the beginning of the second season of The Invincibles. As the teaser progresses, the actor can also be seen humorously reflecting on her initial impressions of the screenwriting duo.
Shabana Azmi also opened up about dealing with her husband Javed Akhtar's alcoholism, emphasising that it was "difficult". In the promotional video, she also mentioned the names of legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakraborty. "In the process of becoming a star, you move away from life," she noted. The episode, airing on Tuesday, will also feature Shabana discussing her relationship with Javed's first wife Honey Irani and their children Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar.
During an interview with Mojo Story earlier this year, Javed Akhtar confessed that he hadn't overcome his alcohol addiction when he married Shabana Azmi and that she had to cope with it for the first decade of their marriage. He said, "Somehow, she managed it for the first ten years of marriage. She managed a person who was drinking like this. One day, I just left it because I realized that if I keep on drinking the way I am, I will die in my early 50s."
"On July 31, 1991, I consumed one big bottle of Bacardi. And, from the first of next month, even if I hold a glass of champagne for a toast, I don’t consume it. Willpower is not a thing. It is the intensity of desire," Javed had said while appearing on an episode of The Invincibles' first season.
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