In a revealing moment from the new Prime Video docuseries Angry Young Men, legendary screenwriter Javed Akhtar openly discussed his first marriage to Honey Irani, acknowledging his sense of guilt over its failure. The docuseries, which focuses on the careers and personal lives of screenwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, offers an in-depth look into their experiences and relationships.
In the third episode, Akhtar candidly admitted his role in the breakdown of his marriage with Irani. “Honey is one person in the world towards whom I feel guilty. And she’s the only person. About 60 to 70 percent responsibility lies on my shoulder for the failure of that marriage,” he said. “If I had as much understanding as I have today, perhaps, things would not have gone wrong. It’s very difficult to accept. But that’s how it is.”
The docuseries sheds light on Akhtar’s personal reflections and regrets, highlighting his acknowledgment of past mistakes. He expressed that his understanding of relationships at the time was lacking compared to his current perspective, contributing to the marriage’s demise.
Javed Akhtar’s second wife, acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi, also shared her thoughts on the complex dynamics of their relationships. Reflecting on the public’s often harsh judgments in such scenarios, Azmi noted, “In any relationship, which is a triangular relationship, it is very personal and very painful, especially when children are involved. It becomes more hurtful because people are so quick to pass judgement and say ‘she’s a home-breaker’, ‘she’s a home-destroyer’ and things like that.” She acknowledged the wisdom in remaining silent to avoid further pain and credited Honey Irani for not turning their children against her. “She gave them the security that you do not have to consider her an evil stepmother. She and I have a very warm and really nice relationship.”
Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, a former child actress and writer, were married and had two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Their marriage ended around 1980, and Akhtar later married Shabana Azmi in 1984. The docuseries Angry Young Men provides a rare and introspective look into Akhtar’s reflections on his personal life and relationships.
Sources By Agencies
