As Shabana and Javed Akhtar complete over forty years of marriage, a new advertisement for a diamond brand features them as their real selves, discussing their marriage and familial backgrounds.

Shabana Azmi on starring with Javed Akhtar in new advertisement for a diamond brand, “We decided to say whatever came to our hearts”

Said Shabana, “We improvised our lines during the shooting. We did have our pre-written lines. But we decided to say whatever came to our hearts. It is interesting how similar our backgrounds are.”

ComparingJaved saab to her father the legendary Kaifi Azmi,Shabanasaid, “Javedisexactly like my father. Like Abba,Javedis a feminist. My father had this complete dependence on domestic matters on my mother. Even I’ve to buy all the clothes and shoes forJaved. Likewise, the tailor who stitched my father’s kurta-pyjamas never saw his face. Neither Abba norJavedhave seen the kitchen in the house. Nor can they fix anything around the house. But both can do anything if they set their heart on it.”

ShabanainspiresJaved in unexpected ways. She recounted, “Once during dinner, he was spilling soup on hiskurta. When I admonished him, he came up with these lines instantly to the tune of ‘AbhiNaJaoChhodKar’from the filmHum Dono: “Jo istarhasekhaoge/Tohkitnatumgiraoge/SafedyehQameezhai/Kahantumhetameezhai/Jo soupispegirgaya/Tohjaantehohogakya/Yehdaagdhulnapayega/Jodhoyegabatayega/Kisaabunispeghisdiya/YehDaagparmitanahi/Jo tumkharaabnakaro/Wohkapdahibananahi.”

Laughed Shabana, “Only JavedAkhtarcan be playful and poetic at the same time. See, this is what has kept our marriage going: a mutual sense of humour. We don’tsit around gazing into each other’s eyes reciting poetry. There is too much to do. We are constantly travelling apart for our separate commitments. Once we literally met at the airport before taking separate connecting flights. Javed had asked for some fresh clothes, which I quickly handed over before rushing for my flight. The long separations make us more appreciative of our time together at home.”

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