Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has recalled the hardships faced by her husband, celebrated lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, during his early years in Mumbai, revealing how he endured extreme poverty before establishing himself in the film industry.
In a heartfelt social media post, Shabana shared a rare throwback photograph of Javed and recounted how he arrived in Mumbai as a 19-year-old with just 27 naye paise in his pocket and big dreams of making it in the film industry.
Recalling his difficult circumstances, she revealed that Javed had slept on footpaths, at railway stations and in the compounds of film studios while struggling to find work. At one point, he reportedly went without food for three days and had only tattered clothes to wear.
“On the edge of despair, when he could have given up, he said to himself, ‘Main yunhi marne ke liye nahin paida hua tha. Yeh din badlenge’… as they did,” Shabana wrote.
Reflecting on his journey, she noted the contrast between his arrival in Mumbai on October 4, 1964, with almost nothing and the remarkable legacy he has built over the decades.
“This is the story of Javed Akhtar. Some journeys begin with almost nothing. Except a dream. If he can do it, so can you. Never give up,” she added, sharing an inspirational message about perseverance and determination.
Javed Akhtar went on to become one of the most celebrated screenwriters, lyricists and poets in Indian cinema. Alongside Salim Khan, he formed the iconic screenwriting duo Salim-Javed, which helped shape Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.
The duo is known for writing landmark films such as Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay and Don. Javed later established himself as a prolific lyricist and poet, earning widespread recognition for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar tied the knot on December 9, 1984.