It is party time for Javed Akhtar who turns a year older today.
Says Shabana, “I was in Mijwan and reached Mumbai in the evening . My best friend Parna is hosting a small party for him tonight.”
Married to the poet for 37 years Shabana says, “Javed is the best partner I could have chosen . Actually we both chose each other simultaneously. He is my soulmate.”
Shabana recalls Javed Saab’s 70th birthday bash at the Azmis’ farmhouse Sukoon in Lonavala in 2015 as the most memorable.The sumptuous lunch party was attended by all his close friends, relatives and admirers.
Says Shabana, “It turned to be the most memorable birthday weekend ever.We had invited friends from London,Delhi, Hyderabad and Nasik.From Shaad Ali’s 1-year old son to my mother…every generation of guests attended. The lunch menu consisted of Paya haleem, Raan biryani, Methi-jhinga fried fish.After lunch there was musical jamming session where all of Javed Akhtar’s friends from the music industry sang and danced to film songs.This was my definition of a perfect do.The highlight of the lunch party was Javed and Shabana dancing to Piya tu ab to aaja.
The poet-lyricist broke down when singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan presented him with a piano.“I already had place for the piano at Sukoon. It just fell into place. This was Javed best birthday bash that I can remember.We’re blessed to have so much goodwill from our colleagues and friends.Such get-togethers are no longer possible after the Covid.”
Comparing Javed Saab to her father the legendary Kaifi Azmi, Shabana says, “Javed is exactly like my father. Like Abba, Javed is a feminist. My father had this complete dependence on domestic matters on my mother. Even I’ve to buy all the clothes and shoes for Javed. Likewise the tailor who stitched my father’s kurta-pyjamas never saw his face. Neither Abba nor Javed have seen the kitchen in the house. Nor can they fix anything around the house. But both can do anything if they set their heart on it.”
Shabana’s favourite Javed song? “Tumko dekho to yeh khayal aaya from Saath Saath. Everyone said Kathai aankhon wali in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Duplicate was written for me.But don’t believe a word of it. He has never written a song for me.”
