Forty-one years into their marriage, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar continue to do new things together. The duo recently shot a commercial for a jewellery brand, their first together. It was the campaign’s theme of soulmates that did the trick for Azmi. “I have a soft corner for the word. I truly believe Javed is my soulmate,” she smiles.

For decades, we’ve seen the actor light up the screen with her presence and talent. But seeing the veteran screenwriter share the frame with her and hold his own was a delight.

Mention this to Azmi, and she says, “We’ve had an overwhelming response, [with many] saying it’s so natural. That’s because we made up our own lines despite being given the content! Javed is getting many acting offers now because he is so effortless in front of the camera.”

In a world that tries to find romance in the maze of dating apps and situationships, breadcrumbing and benching, Azmi and Akhtar’s enduring love story is one for the books. What’s the secret?

Similarities and differences are the key, notes the actor. “Javed and I are each other’s best friend. We come from identical backgrounds and share a common worldview. Our interests are similar, except for sports, about which I don’t have a clue,” she laughs.

Their dissimilarities are plenty as well. Azmi shares, “He doesn’t move from his seat, which drives me mad. He complains that I am always moving around the house and incapable of sitting still! I joke that we have a good marriage because we meet so rarely. Both of us are busy travelling in opposite directions. The fact is Javed is wise and reliable. I trust him implicitly, and I hope he feels the same way about me.”

- Have a life outside your marriage. Independence is the glue that binds husbands and wives.

- Javed and I have a magic wand, which are the words ‘Drop it!’ When we are in the middle of an argument that threatens to become nasty, we use it. We raise [the subject] again weeks later when we are calm.