Shabana Azmi on husband Javed Akhtar and not having kids

Shabana Azmi recently opened up about not having children and admitted that it was tough for her to come to terms with it. She added that a conversation with her mother, Shaukat Kaifi, helped her change her perspective on motherhood and life.

“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 their self-worth through their relationships—how they perform as a wife, mother, daughter… For a man, that’s not the criterion for success. It’s his career, his work, that gives him the greatest satisfaction. I believe that should apply to all genders.”

Although Javed Akhtar has two children from his first marriage, the renowned writer-lyricist and Shabana Azmi did not have children of their own.

Despite not having children of her own, Shabana shares a great motherly bond with Javed’s children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. They are often seen on holidays together, and the children, who are now acclaimed directors in the film industry, also attend parties with her. Shabana was also seen attending Farhan’s wedding to Shibani Dandekar.

On the work front, Shabana was last seen in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.