Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and Farhan Akhtar enjoy Koffee with Karan
Karan’s guests this week are an extremely special couple. She is an actor par excellence…in fact, almost an institution! From path breaking alternate cinema to plausible mainstream… She’s been there, she’s done that! Her contribution to the society as well as the fraternity has never gone unnoticed and on a lighter vein, she can be the life of a party.
He on the other hand, ruled the roost in the 70s! He gave dignity and stature to writing in Indian cinema. He then went on to become an impeccable poet and lyricist. Words alone are not enough to describe how beautiful his words can be and again on a lighter vein… he easily has the best sense of humour in town. Meet Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi in a very interesting episode of Koffee with Karan, this Sunday, August 12th at 9 p.m. on Star One and Star World. Also, making the episode even more exciting is son Farhan, who drops in for a quick cuppa!
The very opinionated and individualistic couple talks about their warm relationship of 23 years! They share with Karan how they are so different from each other but yet have so many similarities, which makes living together all the more interesting! They share some funny anecdotes and experiences faced by them in the film industry. Shabanaji busts the myth that poets are romantic and declares on the show that Javedsaab does not have a bone of romance in his body! She also shares her passion for collecting recipes even though she hardly ever cooks! Farhan and Javedsaab talk about the healthy friendship they share with each other. Karan asks Javed saab what he thought about Don and how he reacted when Farhan told him he wanted to remake it. The father-son duo also gives their reaction to Ram Gopal Verma’s remake of Sholay!
After the question-answer session, the show takes another turn with the rapid fire round! Which film, besides Don, deserves a remake according to Javed Akhtar? Which recent song does he wish he had written? How would he describe Koffee with Karan in a couplet? Which Don does he prefer- the old one or the new one? Who according to Shabanaji is the most talented actress in Indian cinema? Who according to her is the most stunning looking woman? If she had Sonia Gandhi’s private number, what would she like to tell her? Who is the winner of the most desired possession on the show - the coffee hamper! Find out on this Sunday’s episode of Koffee with Karan…
Excerpts from the interview:
Karan: I am very nervous today because I’m feeling compelled to sound very clever and intellectual and very social… socially relevant!
Shabana Azmi: And I am feeling very nervous because I am compelled to be very frothy and light!
Karan: You both have opinions that you like to express… you’re not afraid to express them. You both are individualistic in your own way and yet you have had a tremendous marriage. A marriage based on friendship. How have these 23 years been?
Shabana Azmi: I think we meet so rarely that, that is the reason for the success of the marriage. But also because I think we share a worldview, we belong to similar backgrounds and because we are friends, more than anything else.
Karan: Why? You’ll are both that busy?
Javed Akhtar: Yes!
Karan: So basically it’s a phone marriage!
Shabana Azmi: And we meet at airports once in a while!
Karan: Do you’ll agree on things? Like your opinion on films? Do you both have the same opinions?
Javed Akhtar: No, no, no!
Karan: Because once Shabanaji saw a film that didn’t do very well and she came and said, ‘Bhai, the bad news for this film is that I have liked it!’
Shabana Azmi: There are director friends of mine who live in terror when I see a preview because if I’ve liked it, it’s really doomsday for the film. That is standard…
Karan: And do you’ll fight at home about your opinions on films, songs, things…
Javed Akhtar: We have ultimately reconciled to the fact that we do not agree on many things. If people are totally similar then there is no point in living together because one is enough and if people are totally different then there is no point in living together because you won’t be able to live together. So you need certain similarities and certain dissimilarities and this tension is interesting.
Karan: Which is the one big fight you have had over a film or a political situation... Something because of which there was war at home?
Javed Akhtar: There was a film in which Shabana was the leading lady- Ek Pal. It was made by Kalpana Lajmi. It was appreciated by many people but I didn’t like it. They thought that it was about women empowerment but it was not my definition of women empowerment, their individuality and their assertion.
Shabana Azmi: The good thing is that Javed is truly a feminist. He is a confident enough feminist, not to want to be politically correct. He genuinely feels it.
Karan: Farhan, how do you perceive them as a couple?
Farhan Akhtar: They seem extremely happy for many many years now. It’s fantastic!
Karan: Javedsaab and you almost have like a healthy friendship. The interaction is almost hysterical, every time I’ve seen you’ll together its like two friends chatting… warring maybe at times, maybe the conflicts. Seems like a friendship, which is tough when there is a generation gap.
Farhan Akhtar: Yeah I know! Shabana calls me like a chamcha of Pa because I keep laughing at all his jokes but I don’t think I’m the only one. All of us do!
Javed Akhtar: You know so often people have told me… there is only one person in this world who is funnier than you and that is your son!
So, don’t forget to tune in as Karan catches up with the super- talented couple- Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar along with son Farhan Akhtar on Koffee with Karan this Sunday, August 12, 2007 on Star One and Star World, at 9 p.m.