Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar opens up about raising his children, Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, emphasizing their secular upbringing and crediting Honey Irani for their values.
- Javed Akhtar credits his children, Farhan and Zoya, for achieving success entirely on their own merit.
- He gives major credit to his former wife, Honey Irani, for shaping their values and morals.
- Akhtar reveals he chose not to introduce his children to specific religious identities, fostering an areligious upbringing.
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has shared a deeply personal reflection on the upbringing of his children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. In a recent interview, the legendary filmmaker spoke about the formative years of his children and the values that have defined their professional and personal lives.
Success Earned Through Dignity
When discussing the immense success of Farhan and Zoya in the film industry, Javed Akhtar maintained a stance of profound humility. Rather than taking credit for their stardom, he insisted that they achieved everything strictly on their own. He expressed immense pride not just in their fame, but in the manner in which they achieved it.
"They have not been desperate to achieve success, name, fame, or money at any cost," Akhtar remarked. He emphasized that they have maintained their dignity by avoiding the creation of crude or vulgar content, choosing instead to focus on quality and meaningful work.
The Role of Honey Irani in Upbringing
Addressing the nuances of parenting, Javed Akhtar directed significant praise toward his former wife, Honey Irani. He noted that during the critical formative years following their separation—when Zoya was 11 and Farhan was around 9—Honey played the pivotal role in shaping their character.
Akhtar stated that Honey ensured they understood the balance between freedom and responsibility. "She saw to it that they understood what they should and shouldn't do... she also ensured they understood what values and morals they should imbibe," he explained. While he admitted to instilling a love for reading in them, he credited the core of their moral compass to Honey.
The Question of Identity: 'Are we Muslims?'
One of the most poignant moments of the interview involved Akhtar's decision to keep his children 'areligious.' He shared a memory of a young Farhan coming home from school with a profound question that stayed with him.
"I remember Farhan was perhaps seven or eight years old... he came running to me and asked, 'Are we Muslims?'" Akhtar recalled. He explained that instead of imposing a religious label, he taught them that identity is not defined by the community one is born into, but by who one is as a human being.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that Javed Akhtar's approach to parenting serves as a significant counter-narrative in a socio-political climate often dominated by religious identity. By prioritizing individual character and intellectual curiosity over communal labels, he has fostered a generation of creators who prioritize art and ethics over ideology.
Javed Akhtar's philosophy highlights that true upbringing lies in teaching values rather than enforcing labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Who does Javed Akhtar credit for his children's moral values?
Answer: He gives major credit to his former wife, Honey Irani, for their upbringing and moral development.
Question 2: How did Javed Akhtar respond to Farhan's question about religion?
Answer: He explained that while people are born into certain communities, what truly matters is the individual's character and essence, rather than their religious label.
