Shabana Azmi reveals Javed Akhtar’s name suggestion for Richa Chadha’s newborn baby

Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, the celebrated actor couple, recently welcomed their first child, a daughter, and were surrounded by love from their close-knit circle of friends. The newborn's “khaalas” and “maasis” included renowned actors Shabana Azmi, Urmila Matondkar, Tanvi Azmi, and Dia Mirza, who paid a heartfelt visit to the new parents.

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Shabana Azmi, part of the affectionate group known as “Dher Saara Pyaar,” shared details about the visit. “We wanted to host a baby shower for Richa, but it didn’t work out. So, this was a special visit just to see the baby. This group feels like family, and we cherish these moments,” she said. Notably, some members of the group, including Sandhya Mridul, Konkona Sensharma, and Vidya Balan, were absent as they were out of town.

Shabana Azmi also revealed a humorous anecdote about her husband, Javed Akhtar, who suggested the name “Jwala Ali” for the newborn, inspired by Richa Chadha’s fiery personality. Although the suggestion was made in jest, Azmi praised the chosen name as beautiful. She also highlighted Ali Fazal’s deep affection for his daughter, noting, “He’s completely besotted with her.”

Reflecting on Richa Chadha’s new role as a mother, Shabana Azmi recounted a touching moment. “The baby was sleeping peacefully, looking like an angel. Richa joked about how the baby wakes up screaming in the middle of the night, making it a sleepless time for both her and Ali,” Azmi shared.

In addition to celebrating the new addition to their family, Shabana Azmi recently received her sixth honorary doctorate from Techno India University in West Bengal. She expressed her gratitude and humility, saying, “Being counted among such esteemed recipients is an honor. Every award brings joy and a sense of responsibility, recognizing the importance of validating one’s work.”

The award ceremony also honored other notable figures, including former tennis player Leander Paes, musician Shankar Mahadevan, and writer-poet Gulzar. For Shabana Azmi, these accolades reaffirm her contributions and continue to inspire her artistry.