Shabana Azmi Opens Up About Dealing With Javed Akhtar’s Alcoholism: Was Stinking Of...

Shabana Azmi, in a recent interview, opened up about Javed Akhtar's "excessive" drinking habit. Calling it a "difficult" phase, she shared in detail how one day, the lyricist decided to quit alcohol. Shabana is the second wife of Javed and together they often shell out some major couple goals.

Shabana Azmi opens up about Javed Akhtar's drinking problem

In a recent talk show, the veteran actress recalled that Javed Akhtar knew that if he went on like this, he wouldn't live for long, owing to which she wouldn't be able to do her work creatively. Revisiting the day, Akhtar quit alcohol, she said, "We were in a flat in London. He was stinking of alcohol and I said 'Oh my god, this is going to be one of those trips. Very quietly he told me 'Make me some breakfast'. He had breakfast and after that, he told me, 'I am not going to drink anymore'."

On hearing these words, Shabana Azmi was stunned but she didn't say anything and just said, "Means?". To which, he replied, "'I am not going to drink anymore'." She continued, "He had never said this before and from that day, he has not touched (alcohol)." She added, "It is impossible for me to have that kind of willpower he has."

When Javed Akhtar opened up about his addiction

During a 2012 episode of Satyameva Jayate, hosted by Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar shared he started drinking at the very young age of 19 when he came to Bombay after completing her graduation. He started drinking with friends and later it became a habit. "Earlier I didn't have enough money, but then after my success money flow was also taken care of.  Then came a time when I would drink one bottle a day," he added.

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar got married on 9 December 1984. It was Javed Akhtar's second marriage, the first being with another Hindi film scriptwriter, Honey Irani.