Shabana Azmi calls Javed Akhtar a staunch atheist: 'We have no association with religion'

Javed and Shabana (Pic/AFP)

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has spoken about her views on religion and how they differ from those of her husband, Javed Akhtar, who is a staunch atheist. In a recent interaction, she shared why she believes people should be free to practise religion without being judged. She also said that religion is a private matter.

Shabana Azmi on religion

Speaking in an interaction shared on IIMUN's YouTube channel, she said, "My father was an atheist. And my mother used to practise it somewhat but not seriously. Like sometimes, I say ‘mashallah' and ‘inshallah', but Javed says, ‘Why do you keep saying this? What if someone says ‘prabhu ji ki marzi (God's will)' all the time, how will you feel?' But I feel it's just something that's a part of my language."

She further said, "He is a very staunch atheist. I am saying, 'Why do you have to wear this on your sleeve? If there is somebody who is getting some solace out of practising religion, let it be. Why offend them?' He says, 'Because they offend me. Don't I have a right as an atheist to be offended by that?'"

"Yes, I am a Muslim, and I like Eid, Urdu, the food, I like all of that. But we don't read namaz, and we have no association with religion as such. The concept of God... It isn't anything that I have had to deal with, except that I feel that it's really a private matter. The state shouldn't get involved. It's a private matter, and if you feel good after praying, then I don't have any problem with it at all," added Shabana Azmi.

About Javed Akhtar's take on being an atheist

Over the years, Akhtar has repeatedly stated that he does not follow any religion and considers himself an atheist. Despite this, he often finds himself at the centre of debates related to religion because of his outspoken nature. Recently, he gave a sharp reply to a troll over an Islamophobic comment.

Earlier this year, he strongly condemned an AI-generated video that falsely claimed he had embraced religion, calling it "rubbish" and warning of possible legal consequences for those responsible. Akhtar has often maintained that religious identity should not be assumed based on a person's name or background.