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Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar have been married for more than four decades. The couple tied the knot in December 1984 and do not have children of their own. Shabana Azmi has said that it was tough for her to come to terms with the fact that she cannot bear children because of society's mindset and how women often measure self-worth from their relationships.
Shabana Azmi on not having kids with Javed Akhtar
Talking about not being able to bear children, Shabana said in a conversation with The Indian Express: “It’s tough coming to terms with the fact that you can’t bear children. Society makes you feel incomplete. You have to work hard to pull yourself out of that. But your ultimate sense of self must come from your work. Women often measure self-worth from their relationships – how they hold up as a wife, mother daughter… For a man that’s not the criterion of success – rather it’s his career, his work that gives him the greatest satisfaction. I believe that should apply to all genders.”
ALSO READ: Shabana Azmi Turns 74: I’m Wiser, Far Less Opinionated… | EXCLUSIVE
Shabana Azmi talks about valuable lessons from mother
Shabana Azmi recalled her mother's answer to her, that surprised her, "When I asked my mother (late actor Shaukat Azmi), who was an excellent housekeeper, wife, 'what was the most fulfilling of all her roles', her answer left me surprised. She said her work and appreciation for it gave her primary satisfaction. Women have to overcome patriarchal expectations. It doesn’t mean turning up your nose to duty but making it more inclusive so that your partner also respects it,", added Shabana.
'THE Shabana Azmi' on turning a year older
In an exclusive conversation with Shabana Azmi, who turns 74 today, the actress told Zoom about being THE Shabana Azmi. “I don’t feel like THE Shabana Azmi at all. It is very important to preserve a sense of normalcy, not to let all the recognition awards and milestones go to your ahead, which I’ve tried to throughout my life. I would kill myself if I behaved like THE Shabana Azmi.”