Shabana reveals how Javed arrived in Bombay with '27 naye paise'

Shabana Azmi reveals how Javed Akhar arrived in Bombay with '27 naye paise', slept on footpaths and survived for 3 days without food as the veteran scriptwriter and lyricist turns 81: ‘Yeh din badlenge’

Javed Akhtar turned 81 on October 4, 2026, and wife Shabana Azmi marked his birthday with a heartfelt tribute recalling his difficult early years in Bombay. From arriving at Bombay Central with just 27 naye paise to sleeping on footpaths and going without food for days, Azmi remembered the determination that kept the celebrated writer and lyricist going.

Shabana Azmi recalls Javed Akhtar’s difficult early years in Bombay

Shabana Azmi marked Javed Akhtar’s 81st birthday with an emotional Instagram post featuring a photograph from his younger years. In her tribute, the veteran actor recalled how Javed arrived in Bombay Central Station on October 4, 1964, as a 19-year-old with just 27 ‘naye paise’ in his pocket and dreams of making a life in the city.Azmi remembered the hardships he endured during those early years. Javed reportedly slept on footpaths, at railway stations and in studio compounds, while struggling to make ends meet.

At one point, he went three days without food and had only the clothes he was wearing.

‘Yeh din badlenge’: The words that kept Javed Akhtar going

Despite the uncertainty and deprivation, Javed did not give up on his ambitions. Recalling the moment when he came close to quitting, Shabana quoted him as saying, “Main yunhi marne ke liye nahin paida nahin hua tha. Yeh din badlenge.”Azmi contrasted those difficult beginnings with the life and career Javed has built over the decades.

She described October 4, 1964, as the day a 19-year-old arrived in Bombay with almost nothing, while October 4, 2026, represents a life that has contributed some of the most memorable words to Indian cinema.“Some journeys begin with almost nothing. Except a dream. If he can do it, so can you. Never give up,” she wrote.

Javed Akhtar’s first marriage to Honey Irani

Before his marriage to Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar was married to screenwriter Honey Irani. The two married in 1972 and have two children, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar.

Javed and Honey separated in 1978, with their divorce finalised in 1985. He married Shabana in 1984, marking his second marriage.

Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi’s relationship

Javed and Shabana’s relationship began while he was still married to Honey Irani and attracted considerable attention at the time. The couple, however, went on to build a marriage that has lasted for more than four decades. Shabana has previously spoken warmly about her relationship with Honey and has acknowledged the role she played in allowing Farhan and Zoya to develop a close bond with her. She has also described her own marriage to Javed as one built on friendship and shared values.

The actor has acknowledged that the couple have had “huge fights”, but said their friendship, similar worldview and shared ideologies have remained central to their relationship.