When Javed Akhtar reacted to Shabana Azmi facing housing bias due to religion: "We are a huge society, live in extreme paradoxes"

Recently I had police protection and Police officers used to move with me and sit with me in the car

Veteran lyricist, poet, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar is known not just for his powerful writing but also for his sharp wit and fearless opinions. In an old interview, he was asked by a Pakistani journalist about a sensitive incident where his wife, acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi, was denied the opportunity to purchase a flat simply because of her religion.

The journalist also questioned him on Pakistan’s response to the issue, which was, “See, we told you this is why the partition happened.”

Javed Akhtar’s reply was both straightforward and laced with irony. He said, “Thik hai toh aap toh khush hai na? You are happy? You are doing fine, wonderful. We are a huge society and we live in extreme paradoxes. You are right, Shabana wanted to buy some property and that building did not give her only because a person like Shabana, they did not give only because her name is Shabana Azmi.”

He went on to highlight the complex realities of Indian society, adding, “Recently I had police protection and Police officers used to move with me and sit with me in the car. But not because of Shivsena or RSS but because of Muslims. This is also a reality.”

At the same time, he also pointed out another significant truth about his and Shabana’s recognition in India, “There is also another reality. Shabana and I are the only couple in 53 years to have been nominated by the President to the Parliament.”

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Response to Bushra Ansari’s Claim

In another interview, Javed Akhtar was asked about Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari’s remark that “no one in Mumbai rents homes to Muslims.” Known for his wit, Akhtar laughed before narrating the incident and said sarcastically, “Yes, of course! Shabana and I are sleeping on the streets now.”

Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi tied the knot on December 9, 1984, after his separation from his first wife, Honey Irani. Over the decades, they have stood as one of the most respected couples in Indian cinema and public life, often unafraid to speak up on social and political issues.