Javed Akhtar has opened up about his relationship with actress Shabana Azmi.

An Indian screenwriter who attended the 2023’s Faiz Festival in Lahore, was asked about his relationship with the Masoom actress, and he replied: "Wo mohabbat mohabbat hi nahi hai jisme dosti na ho. (Love without friendship is no love at all)”

He further said: "Aur wo dosti ya mohabbat sachi hi nahi hai jisme izzat na ho. Aur wo izzat jhooti hai jisme ikhtiyar na diya jaye. Main toh ek jagah likha hai ki bhai humari dosti intni achi hai ki shaadi bhi uska kuch nahi bigad saki. (Friendship or love without respect is not true. And respect without rules is a lie. I have also written somewhere that Shabana and my friendship is so nice and strong that even marriage could not break it)."

The arts and literature festival was held in Lahore where Javed was invited as a guest speaker.