Javed Akhtar opens up about failed marriage with Honey Irani - 'When I used to drink, I would become...'

Lyricist Javed Akhtar married Honey Irani in 1972. While they were married, the duo was blessed with a son Farhan Akhtar, and a daughter Zoya Akhtar. However, in 1985, they officially got divorced. In his recent interview with Mojo Story, the veteran lyricist revealed how his battle with alcoholism impacted his marriage with Irani. Akhtar mentioned that he would become a nasty man whenever he would get drunk.

Javed Akhtar on his failed marriage with Honey Irani

Javed Akhtar revealed that the tehzeeb he learned in Lucknow didn't allow him to use foul language. And hence, all the bitterness was compressed with him. However, things would change when the senior lyricist would get drunk.

 "But when I used to drink all those barriers would break and I would become a very nasty man and would use foul language. I used to become another person. It was unhealthy, irrational, and causing problems to many people. It impacted my marriage with Honey," he said. 

Also read: Javed Akhtar takes a dig at Animal - 'If a man says it’s okay to slap a woman…and the film is a super hit, that’s dangerous'

The 79-year-old further mentioned that if he was a sober and responsible person, the story would have been different. He feels his battle with alcoholism is a part of his failed marriage with Honey. Having said that, he called her a wonderful person and admitted that he has great respect for Irani. Honey, too, shares a good equation with him now. 

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Javed Akhtar reveals how Shabana Azmi dealt with his alcoholism

After he got divorced from Honey, Javed Akhtar married Shabana Azmi. He revealed that his second wife somehow managed to deal with his alcoholism for the first 10 years of their marriage. Later, Akhtar decided to quit drinking and hasn't sipped champagne since that day.

As of today, the 79-year-old and Shabana Azmi have been married for 4 decades now. The lyricist's wife shares a good equation with his children - Farhan and Zoya. While Farhan is married to actress Shibani Dandekar, Zoya hasn't got married to anyone yet.

Also read: Javed Akhtar responds to Sandeep Reddy Vanga criticising Farhan Akhtar's co-produced Mirzapur – ‘53 years ke career mein tum kuchh bhi nahi nikaal paye?’