When Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar fell in love, the latter was married to actor Honey Irani and had two kids. Though Azmi and Akhtar tried to end their relationship “thrice”, they could not stay apart and ended up getting married in 1984. A year later, Akhtar and Irani got divorced.

In a recent interview with Curly Tales, Azmi said, “It was a very, very tough period. I don’t think anybody knows how the three people involved suffer. It is very difficult and painful, particularly when there are children involved.”

She added, “We tried to break-up thrice, because of the children (director-actor Farhan Akhtar and director Zoya Akhtar), but it just didn’t happen. Today, what is good is that I am very good friends with all of them. Honey is like a family member and I have this beautiful relationship with the children. So, in the end, it has worked out well, for which I am very grateful.”

Azmi urges people to not judge anyone struggling in a situation like hers: “Whenever you know of a situation like that, please don’t judge, as it is a very painful period. My relationship with Farhan and Zoya is very strong. When they have a problem with their father, they turn to me.”