Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi recalled the generosity of Honey Irani, Javed Akhtar’s ex-wife. The popular lyricist was earlier married to Honey Irani. He has two children with her, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Shabana called Honey so generous for allowing her children to mingle with her. Even now Shabana often shares candid pictures with Farhan and Zoya on her social media handles.

Not your typical stepmother

Javed Akhtar was married to Honey Irani when Shabana Azmi entered his life. After the success of the hit film Zanjeer, Akhtar and Azmi grew close. Their bond had become a media sensation in those times. During that turbulent period, Honey Irani was very understanding.

And Honey Irani realised their current situation and handled it with grace. The duo decided to part ways. One past interview quoted Honey Irani as saying, “I realised there was no point in living with a man who was no longer in love with me.” However, there was no bitterness in her, but she chose her children’s well-being.

Shabana Azmi got married to Javed Akhtar in 1984, Honey Irani let her children get close to Azmi and accept her in their lives. And since she explained the situation to their children in a mature manner, they became friendly with Shabana Azmi. Hence, they don’t treat her like a typical stepmother, but as a family. 

Despite the painful divorce, Honey ensured that young Zoya and Farhan Akhtar got to grow up happy. The “Arth” actor said, “She did that from the time they were children. So, when she spoke to them, they realised that I wasn’t the ‘stepmother’ they had read about in fairy tales, it became so much easier.”

Shabana Azmi shares a bond with Farhan and Zoya

To date, the “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani” star calls Honey Irani “family,” while she has a deep bond with Farhan and Zoya. Our relationship grew naturally and organically, “I didn’t push myself on them. I just let it be,” said the “Masoom” actor.

Shabana credits Honey for the close relationship that she has nurtured with the two filmmakers. “It is because of Honey’s generosity! It could’ve not been possible if Honey would not have been so generous to share them,” said the veteran actor.

But Shabana also added, “I do feel people are hasty in judging. Divorce is very painful for the three people involved.” It also affected the “Fire” actor negatively, “A divorce is something written on paper. But it doesn’t change the relationship among the family.” Shabana Azmi also recalled how she was trolled for being a feminist and falling in love with an already-married man.