From 27 Paise to Legend: Shabana Azmi Recalls Javed Akhtar's Dark Days
Shabana Azmi recalls the harrowing early days of Javed Akhtar, including sleeping on footpaths and going hungry for days in Mumbai.
Before he became one of the most celebrated voices in Indian cinema, Javed Akhtar faced a reality that was far from the glitz and glamour of Bollywood. On the occasion of his 81st birthday, veteran actor Shabana Azmi shared a poignant look into the harrowing early years of her husband, revealing a journey marked by extreme poverty, hunger, and homelessness.
A Dreamer with Only 27 Naye Paise
The legendary lyricist and screenwriter arrived at the Bombay Central Station on October 4, 1964, as a 19-year-old boy with nothing but immense ambition. According to Shabana Azmi, he had a mere 27 naye paise in his pocket when he stepped onto the platform to chase his dreams.
His early days in Mumbai were far from easy. The struggle for survival was constant, forcing him to seek shelter in the most precarious locations. Shabana recalled that he spent many nights sleeping on:
- Public footpaths
- Railway stations
- The compounds of various film studios
The Brink of Despair
The actress shared a deeply moving account of a period when the legendary writer reached his lowest ebb. There were times when the struggle for survival became a battle against starvation and indignity.
"A day came when he had nothing to eat for 3 days and the only clothes he had were the shreds on his body," Shabana wrote, describing a moment when he was standing on the very edge of despair. It was a time when he had almost nothing left to lose, yet he refused to let his spirit be broken.
A Promise to Himself
Even when faced with absolute destitution, Javed Akhtar maintained a flicker of hope that would eventually change the course of Indian cinema. Instead of surrendering to his circumstances, he made a silent vow to himself. He reportedly thought:
"Main yunhi marne ke liye nahin paida hua tha. Yeh din badlenge." (I was not born just to die like this. These days will change.)
Decades later, those words proved true. The young man who once slept on the streets has gone on to provide India with some of its most iconic words and stories. Shabana Azmi concluded her tribute with a powerful message of resilience, noting that if a penniless teenager could transform his destiny through sheer willpower, anyone can overcome their obstacles.
Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi have been married since 1984. The writer, who was previously married to Honey Irani, is the father of acclaimed filmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar.