Javed Akhtar’s Struggle with Alcohol After Success: First Wife Honey Irani Opens Up

Mumbai: Bollywood icon Javed Akhtar is known not only for his legendary contributions as a writer and lyricist but also for his personal journey of love, marriage, and change. His first wife, writer and actress Honey Irani, recently opened up about their relationship, from their initial meeting and courtship to marriage, challenges, and eventual separation, as well as Javed’s bond with his second wife, Shabana Azmi.

Meeting and Falling in Love

Honey Irani first met Javed Akhtar on the set of the film ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, where she was acting in a supporting role written by Javed and Salim Khan. She recalls being drawn to him immediately due to his sense of humor and vast knowledge, which made conversations effortless.

Reflecting on their romance, Honey shared a memorable story about Javed’s proposal: while playing cards, Javed asked Honey to draw a card. When she did, he won and said, “You are very lucky for me. Let’s get married.” Their wedding followed after six to seven months of dating.

Struggles After Success

Honey Irani revealed that Javed’s success changed him, leading to a growing habit of drinking. She said, “Success changed Javed. His drinking became a significant problem. He started spending evenings out, meeting many people, and gradually these habits increased.”

Despite these challenges, Honey emphasized that both of them tried to manage the situation. Javed made efforts to quit alcohol multiple times, but the pressures of his career and lifestyle changes strained their relationship.

Decision to Separate

Honey stated, “We both realized that the relationship wasn’t working. Instead of constant fights and putting each other down, the wisest decision was to part ways. I was young and inexperienced, so I don’t place the blame entirely on Javed.”

She added that their separation was amicable and guided by mutual understanding rather than resentment.

Maintaining Respect and Friendship

Honey also spoke about Javed’s second marriage to Shabana Azmi, noting that it took time to adjust to their new dynamics. She said, “Once you separate, there’s no reason to remain angry or sad. Over time, Javed and I developed a good friendship. He has always supported our children and me. We now attend birthdays, travel together, and maintain a cordial relationship.”

This candid revelation by Honey Irani highlights not only the personal challenges that accompany fame but also the importance of understanding, forgiveness, and maintaining family bonds despite life’s changes.