Lyricist Javed Akhtar has opened up about the complexities of his first marriage with Honey Irani, shedding light on how his battle with alcoholism played a pivotal role in its dissolution. In a candid interview, Akhtar expressed his belief that had he not been grappling with alcohol addiction, the course of his relationship with Irani might have been different.

Reflecting on his past struggles, Akhtar acknowledged, “If I had been a sober person, if I had been more responsible, perhaps things would have turned out differently.” Despite the challenges they faced, Akhtar spoke warmly of Irani, acknowledging her as a wonderful person and expressing his enduring respect for her. Today, the former couple enjoys a close friendship, underscoring the mutual regard they share.

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Delving into how his second wife, Shabana Azmi, navigated his alcoholism, Akhtar credited her remarkable sensibility. He recounted how Azmi managed to weather the storm for nearly a decade before ultimately marrying someone who grappled with addiction. With a touch of humor, Akhtar quipped, “She married the person who was drinking like that, didn’t she? (chuckles).”

In a pivotal moment of transformation, Akhtar made the decision to quit alcohol altogether, marking a turning point in his life. Since that decisive day, he proudly attests to abstaining from even “a sip of champagne.” Akhtar’s journey serves as a testament to the power of personal resolve and the capacity for growth and change.

Prior to his marriage with Azmi, Akhtar shared a life with Honey Irani, with whom he welcomed two children—Farhan Akhtar, a multifaceted talent in the film industry as an actor, producer, and director, and Zoya Akhtar, acclaimed for her contributions as a writer, director, and producer.

Akhtar’s remarriage to Azmi, the daughter of renowned Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi, marked a new chapter in his life, albeit one that followed the end of his union with Irani. Through his candid reflections, Akhtar offers insights into the complexities of relationships, the challenges of addiction, and the possibility of redemption and renewal.