'Javed Akhtar only had 27 naya paisa when he reached Mumbai': Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi has been married to acclaimed writer Javed Akhtar for almost four decades now. The two fell for one another as they came from very similar backgrounds. Recently, the veteran actress took to X (previously known as Twitter) and shared some titbits regarding her husband’s initial days as a struggler. She revealed in her post that Javed Akhtar only had 27 naya paisa with him as he arrived in Mumbai. The actress stated that he slept on footpaths and even stayed without food for days. Shabana Azmi’s tweet read, “On October 4, 1964, a young man arrived at Bombay Central Station with 27 naya paisa in his pocket and a heart full of dreams. And then Life happened. He slept at railway stations and footpaths, went without food for days, but his belief in himself was his constant companion. At one of his lowest ebbs he told himself, ‘Main yun hi marne ke liye nahin paida hua hoon (I was not born just to die like this).’” Shabana, in her tweet, further added, “His talent, his resilience, his determination, his spirit and the support of his friends made him the man he is today – Javed Akhtar.” Javed Akhtar has been a celebrated screenwriter in Bollywood who contributed to several iconic films such as Deewar, Sholay, Don: The Chase Begins Again and Lakshya. Check out the post below: https://x.com/AzmiShabana/status/1709433467048489279 Shabana Azmi-Javed Akhtar Relationship Timeline Shabana Azmi is the second wife of Javed Akhtar as he was previously married to screenwriter Honey Irani. Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar finally tied the knot in 1984. At the time of the wedding, Javed Akhtar was already the father of two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, from his first marriage with Honey Irani. Shabana Azmi on work front On the professional front, Shabana Azmi last graced the screens with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, alongside Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, and Abhishek Bachchan-led Ghoomer. In addition, she was also a part of the Hollywood sci-fi-action series, Halo, based on the eponymous video game series.