Irani honey was often asked how she managed to maintain a warm relationship with her ex-husband Javed Akhtar and his wife, an actor Shabana Azmieven years after their divorce. Addressing it directly, Hani believes that there is no point in bitterness when two people’s paths diverge.“If you broke up, why sit around with anger?” she said in a recent interview with Vicky Lalwani, adding that everything that happened in the past is “under the bridge”. For her, separation did not mean branding someone as a bad person. “It doesn’t mean that someone is a bad person. I have a lot of respect for both Javed Sahab and Shabana,” she shared.
A connection that began with humor and intelligence
Recalling her first meeting with Javed Akhtar, Hani said it was his sense of humor that instantly drew her to him.
“The first time I met him was when he was narrating my lines on the set. I was rehearsing and he was explaining the backstory of my character. The first thing that attracted me to Javed Sahab was his sense of humor. He was very funny.”Having known Salim Khan since childhood, she felt comfortable in this space. “We sat together between takes, talking and laughing. That’s when I realized how intelligent Javed Sahab was.
You could talk to him about any topic. His knowledge was very attractive.”It is interesting that humor became a red thread. “He always says he’s attracted to me because of my sense of humor. Maybe it’s the humor that drew us to each other,” she said.
A random offer — and luck
Hani recalled how Javed Akhtar proposed in the most unexpected way. “He proposed, but not directly for marriage,” she said, explaining how they began dating off set.“Once he was playing cards and lost. I picked a card for him and it turned out to be the right one.
He returned his money and said, “Come on, you’re very lucky for me, let’s get married.” That’s how he proposed.”After six or seven months, they got married.
Choosing a family instead of ambition — no regrets
Explaining why she worked very little after marriage, Honey said that acting was never an obsession. “I was around 19 during Seeta Aur Geeta and I got married straight away. I had never been so passionate about acting. I was happy to settle down.”She added that leaving the job was a personal decision.
“I wanted to do something behind the scenes, but the children came very quickly. Javed’s career was going very well. People kept coming home like mela. The time just flew by. I have no regrets.”
When success changed everything
Looking back on why the marriage didn’t last, Honey admitted there wasn’t just one reason. “If we analyze it now, there were many reasons. Everything happened very quickly. Success came very quickly, and with success, people and the environment change.
Requirements change. Maybe I couldn’t handle it.”She also admitted that it became difficult for her to cope with Javed Akhtar’s alcoholism. “He also used to drink, but then it became much more. After drinking, he became a completely different person. I could not cope with it.”
Shabana Azmi opens up about her controversial marriage
“It was our decision to separate”
Hani specified that the parting was mutual. “It was our decision because it didn’t work at all. Instead of fighting and blaming each other, it was better to break up.
It was the smartest decision.”However, what stood out was her approach to life after the separation. “If you broke up, why be angry?” she repeated. “What happened is under the bridge.”She emphasized that maintaining respect is more important to her than harboring a grudge. “I didn’t want to lose them as friends,” she said, reiterating her respect for Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi.
“It took many years, but we managed to make it work”
Talking about her equation with Shabana Azmi, Honey admitted that it took time. “It took years. The kids were involved; they kept going back and forth. We both put effort into each end.”Today, the relationship has turned into friendship. “Now we are good friends. We go to each other’s birthday parties and even travel together. Everything is fine now,” she said.
