Honey Irani Opens Up About Marriage to Javed Akhtar: Success Changed Him, Drinking Was Major Issue
In a candid revelation, writer and actor Honey Irani has shared intimate details about her marriage to renowned lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, which lasted only 13 years before ending in separation. Irani, Akhtar's first wife, spoke about how his rapid success in the film industry transformed him, leading to significant challenges in their relationship.
The Beginning: A Proposal During a Card Game
Honey Irani recalled meeting Javed Akhtar on the sets of the classic Bollywood film Seeta Aur Geeta, where she played a side character. The film was written by Akhtar along with Salim Khan. Irani described being immediately drawn to Akhtar's sense of humor and vast knowledge, which made him approachable on any topic.
"He proposed first," Irani revealed, detailing a unique proposal that occurred during a card game. "We had a liking for each other and met off the sets too. Once, while playing cards and losing, he asked me to pull a card. When I did, he won and said, 'Chalo, you are so lucky for me. Let's get married.' That's how he proposed, and we got married after 6-7 months of courting."
The Downfall: Success and Drinking Strains the Marriage
Discussing why their marriage ultimately failed, Honey Irani pointed to the fast-paced success that Akhtar achieved, which she believes altered his personality and environment. "Everything was moving too fast. The success they were getting was very rapid, and with success, things do change—the man also changes, and so does his surrounding," she explained.
Irani emphasized that Akhtar's drinking became a major problem in their relationship. "His drinking was a major problem. Then he was meeting a lot of people, spending evenings out, and those things increased significantly. We both were mature enough to understand that this wasn't working. He had tried to give up drinking many times," she added.
The couple mutually decided to separate to avoid further conflict. "We both took the decision to separate because it wasn't working. Instead of fighting and tearing each other apart, the most sensible thing we did was separating. I was too young and immature, so I'm not blaming Javed entirely. We got into it very fast—we should have waited, maybe we wouldn't have gotten married," Irani reflected.
Post-Separation: Building Friendships with Javed and Shabana
After their separation, Honey Irani maintained a cordial relationship with Javed Akhtar, who continued to support her and their children. "With Javed after separation, things got better in 3-4 years, but he was always a support for the children and me," she said.
However, it took her some time to warm up to Akhtar's second wife, acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi. "With Shabana, it took me a little time. We both tried our best, and we are now good friends. We go for each other's birthday parties, we travel together," Irani shared, highlighting the evolution of their friendship over the years.
When asked about forgiving an ex and developing a friendship post-separation—a trait she shares with her son Farhan Akhtar, who maintains a friendly relationship with his ex-wife Adhuna Bhabani—Irani stated, "Once you have separated, then what is the problem? Why are you angry and why are you crying?" This perspective underscores her pragmatic approach to moving on from past relationships.
Honey Irani's revelations offer a rare glimpse into the personal lives of Bollywood icons, shedding light on the complexities of love, success, and reconciliation in the entertainment industry.
