Javed Akhtar Reflects on Parenting: How Honey Irani Shaped the Success and Secular Identity of Farhan and Zoya

Veteran lyricist and legendary screenwriter Javed Akhtar has offered a candid glimpse into the upbringing of his children, Farhan and Zoya Akhtar. In a recent interview, the celebrated writer emphasized that his children’s achievements in the film industry are entirely their own, while giving full credit to his former wife, Honey Irani, for the values they hold today.

Independent Success

Despite hailing from one of the most respected families in Indian cinema, Farhan and Zoya have carved out distinct paths in writing, directing, and acting. Javed Akhtar expressed immense pride in their professional trajectories, noting that their success was not a product of nepotism or parental intervention.

“I have no contribution in their success, honestly,” Akhtar stated in his interview with Lets Talk With DevnaG. “What makes me proud is that they have achieved success by doing good, decent work. They have not been desperate to achieve fame or money at any cost. They have not made films that are crude or vulgar. Their dignity is reflected in their work.”

Honey Irani’s Pivotal Role

Akhtar was quick to acknowledge that the heavy lifting of parenting during the children’s formative years fell to Honey Irani. Following his separation from Irani, when Farhan and Zoya were still young, she took the lead in shaping their moral compass.

“Major credit goes to Honey; she brought them up,” Akhtar said. “She ensured they understood what they should and shouldn’t do, what freedoms were appropriate, and what values they should imbibe. Her contribution to their development as people is immense.”

The veteran lyricist jokingly admitted that while he may not have been the primary disciplinarian, he did leave one lasting legacy: the love of literature. He recalled how he used to be an avid reader, a habit that his children observed and eventually adopted to the point where they now surpass him in their reading habits.

A Secular Upbringing

Perhaps the most notable aspect of their childhood was the conscious decision to keep them free from rigid religious labels. Akhtar shared an endearing anecdote about a young Farhan, who once came home from school at the age of eight and asked his father, “Are we Muslims?”

Akhtar’s response was one of inclusivity and humanism. He explained to his son that while one is born into a specific community or city, those external factors do not define a person. “I told him, ‘Listen, it is not important which city you were born in or which community—what is important is what you are.’ They are totally areligious,” he recalled.

By allowing his children the freedom to define their own identities, Akhtar fostered an environment where Farhan and Zoya could focus on their creative integrity rather than traditional social expectations. Today, both siblings stand as testaments to a parenting style that prioritized intellectual independence, dignity, and personal growth.