Shabana Azmi married Javed Akhtar in 1984, following his divorce from Honey Irani. The union sparked controversy, with many criticizing Azmi for marrying a divorced man. In a recent interview with Filmfare, Azmi opened up about the backlash she faced and acknowledged that her happiness came at the expense of Irani’s rights.
Many saw Azmi as a feminist icon, and her decision to marry Akhtar seemed to contradict her values. Azmi said, “I was a feminist model, and I did something that was beyond understanding.” She realized that her actions appeared to undermine the rights of another woman for her own happiness.
A Controversial Union
Azmi reflected on the situation, “People who saw me as a feminist were right to be surprised.” She considered explaining the circumstances surrounding her marriage, but decided against it to avoid causing more pain to those involved. “I thought it was better to stay quiet, and that was a wise decision,” Azmi said.
The controversy eventually died down. Azmi believes this was partly because no one continued to throw mud.
A Healthy Relationship with Honey Irani
Azmi revealed that she now enjoys a healthy relationship with Irani. “It’s possible because we didn’t throw mud at each other,” Azmi said, crediting Irani, Akhtar, and herself for this positive outcome. She emphasized the importance of understanding the context behind a perceived mistake.