Shabana Azmi on not having children with Javed Akhtar: Society makes you feel incomplete

Actor Shabana Azmi got married to lyricist Javed Akhtar in December 1984. Javed was earlier married to Honey Irani and they have two kids – Zoya Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar. But he doesn’t have any kids with his second wife Shabana. Speaking about not having kids, Shabana Azmi revealed that it was tough to come to terms with the fact that they can’t bear children.

Shabana Azmi on not having kids with Javed Akhtar

“It’s tough coming to terms with the fact that you can’t bear children. Society makes you feel incomplete. You have to work hard to pull yourself out of that. But your ultimate sense of self must come from your work. Women often measure self-worth from their relationships – how they hold up as a wife, mother daughter… For a man that’s not the criterion of success – rather it’s his career, his work that gives him the greatest satisfaction. I believe that should apply to all genders,” Shabana Azmi told The Indian Express.

Shabana Azmi with husband Javed Akhtar

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Image source: Shabana Azmi Instagram

She further added, “When I asked my mother (late actor Shaukat Azmi), who was an excellent housekeeper, wife… what was the most fulfilling of all her roles, her answer left me surprised. She said her work and appreciation for it gave her primary satisfaction. Women have to overcome patriarchal expectations. It doesn’t mean turning up your nose to duty but making it more inclusive so that your partner also respects it.”

Shabana Azmi was last seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Ghoomer. She played the role of Admiral Margaret Paragonsky in the web series Halo.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Shabana Azmi recalls Javed Akhtar’s battle with alcoholism was difficult; says, “Unhone tay karliya ki ab mai jyada zinda nahi reh paunga”