Javed Akhtar on how Shabana Azmi coped with his alcoholism for the first decade of their marriage: ‘She managed a person.’
In a recent interview, Javed admitted that although he and Shabana often engage in unpleasant arguments, they always find a way to reconcile. He also shared how Shabana dealt with his alcoholism during the first decade of their marriage.
When asked about their occasional conflicts during an interview with Mojo Story, Javed replied, “She is a very strong person. She isn’t fragile like a wax doll so obviously there will be fights. If there are no fights in a marriage that is unnatural. Two people, who are opinionated, will have differences.”
Javed also mentioned their ongoing project of building their dream house in Juhu. Despite the prolonged construction period, they currently reside in a small two-room flat. He jokingly remarked that while arguments over the house might strain their marriage, they are adept at resolving their issues.
He said, “We are currently constructing a house in Juhu and it has been almost two years that it is being made. So, thankfully we have two extra small flats in the same building and we have been living there. This house could cost us this marriage. We argue at home decor things like where will the sofa look good and all, but ultimately we don’t carry with out fights. After half-an-hour of an unpleasant fight, we talk normally.”
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During the interaction, Javed opened up about his first marriage with Honey Irani, which ended due to his struggle with alcoholism. He confessed that he didn’t overcome his addiction when he married Shabana, and 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 realised that if I keep on drinking the way I am, I will die in my early 50s.”
