Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar shared a touching childhood memory of his son Farhan Akhtar, explaining his choice to raise his children without imposing a religious identity.

  • Javed Akhtar chose not to impose a specific religious identity on his children.
  • Farhan Akhtar asked a profound question about their religion at age eight.
  • Akhtar believes a person's character matters more than their community of birth.
  • He credited Honey Irani for teaching his children values and responsibility.

Renowned lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has opened up about a deeply personal moment from his son's childhood. He recounted how Farhan Akhtar, while still a young boy of eight, approached him with a question that struck at the very core of identity: "Are we Muslims?"

During a recent conversation, Akhtar detailed the incident where a young Farhan returned from school, bag still on his shoulder, driven by a sudden and significant curiosity. Instead of providing a dogmatic answer, Javed explained that while a person is born into a specific community or city—be it Mumbai, London, or New York—those labels do not define the essence of a human being. To him, what truly matters is the person one becomes through their actions and character.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Javed Akhtar's parenting philosophy offers a stark contrast to the increasingly polarized social climate. By choosing to raise Zoya Akhtar and Farhan as "areligious" individuals, he prioritized universal human values over sectarian labels, fostering an environment where intellectual and moral independence could flourish.

"It is not important which city you were born in or which community, what is important is what you are." — Javed Akhtar

The veteran writer emphasized that he intentionally avoided imposing a religious framework on his children. He noted that while many parents might instill a specific religious identity by the age of 11 or 12, he allowed his children the freedom to develop their own beliefs and morals independently.

Akhtar also took a moment to acknowledge the pivotal role played by his first wife, screenwriter Honey Irani. He noted that during the period of their separation, when the children were quite young, Honey was instrumental in teaching them the balance between freedom and responsibility. Her influence, he believes, was fundamental in shaping the strong moral compass they possess today.

While expressing immense pride in the professional achievements of both Farhan and Zoya, Javed was careful to note that their success was not a result of nepotism or parental hand-holding. He asserted that both siblings have built their illustrious careers through sheer individual merit and relentless hard work.

Historical Background

Javed Akhtar's personal history is intertwined with the evolution of Indian cinema. Following his separation from Honey Irani in 1985, he married acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi in 1984. His children, Farhan and Zoya, have since emerged as leading figures in the Indian film industry, representing a new generation of creative excellence.

Did You Know?: Javed Akhtar's approach to parenting is often cited as a model for fostering critical thinking in children within complex social environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did Javed Akhtar respond to Farhan's question about religion?
He explained that birth community and location are secondary to an individual's character and who they choose to be.

2. Who played a major role in raising Zoya and Farhan Akhtar?
Javed Akhtar credited Honey Irani for teaching the children essential values like responsibility and freedom.