Editing Javed Akhtar (section)

== Personal life ==

{{Quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote=“There are certain things that I’d like to make clear at the very outset. Don’t get carried away by my name — Javed Akhtar. I am not revealing a secret, I am saying something that I have said many times, in writing or on TV, in public… I’m an atheist, I have no religious beliefs. And I don’t believe in spirituality of some kind".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Atheism is the religion for these filmi folk |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/photo-features/atheism-is-the-religion-for-these-filmi-folk/atheism-is-the-religion-for-these-filmi-folk/photostory/45543752.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630162622/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/photo-features/atheism-is-the-religion-for-these-filmi-folk/photostory/45543752.cms |archive-date=30 June 2022 |publisher=[[Times of India]]}}</ref>}}
Akhtar was nominated to the Parliament upper house [[Rajya Sabha]] on 16 November 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_javed-akhtar-dua-nominated-to-rajya-sabha_1312632 |title=Javed Akhtar, Dua nominated to Rajya Sabha – India – DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=17 November 2009 |access-date=3 March 2013 |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602163811/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-javed-akhtar-dua-nominated-to-rajya-sabha-1312632 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Akhtar was married to [[Honey Irani]], with whom he had two children, [[Farhan Akhtar]], a film actor, producer, director<ref>{{Cite web|title=Farhan Akhtar|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1027719/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=IMDb|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012013703/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1027719/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Zoya Akhtar]], a film writer, director and producer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zoya Akhtar|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015295/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=IMDb|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921011734/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015295/|url-status=live}}</ref> The father-and-son duo have worked together in films such as ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]'', ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'', ''[[Rock On!!]]'' and ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' with [[Zoya Akhtar|Zoya]]. [[Farhan Akhtar|Farhan]] was married to [[Adhuna Akhtar]], a hair stylist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/chat/javechat.htm |title=Transcript of the Javed Akhtar Chat |work=rediff.com |access-date=3 March 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024221735/http://www.rediff.com/chat/javechat.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Despite having an Islamic upbringing, Akhtar declared himself to be an "equal opportunity [[atheist]]" who is against all faiths,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120715/jsp/7days/story_15730121.jsp#.Uezxeo03D4w |title=Eye on England |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=15 July 2012 |archive-date=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719061237/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120715/jsp/7days/story_15730121.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=Javed Akhtar calls himself 'equal opportunity atheist who is against all faiths' after offending both sides|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/javed-akhtar-calls-himself-equal-opportunity-atheist-who-is-against-all-faiths-after-offending-both-sides/story-tqFPdtO3nXs03lWzuqHQWI.html|access-date=2021-10-04|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004122414/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/javed-akhtar-calls-himself-equal-opportunity-atheist-who-is-against-all-faiths-after-offending-both-sides/story-tqFPdtO3nXs03lWzuqHQWI.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and also brought up his children [[Farhan Akhtar|Farhan]] and [[Zoya Akhtar]] as atheists.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Self-Proclaimed Celebrity Atheists &#124; Entertainment &#124; iDiva.com &#124; Page 4|url=http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203026/http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=16 December 2013|publisher=iDiva.com}}</ref> However, he continues to identify as a "[[Cultural Muslims|cultural Muslim]]" because of his heritage associated with the [[Islamic culture|Islamic civilization]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Saurav |date=18 March 2024 |title=‘Can’t Change My Religion As…’, Javed Akhtar’s Big Revelation |url=https://news24online.com/entertainment/cant-change-my-religion-as-javed-akhtars-big-revelation/239377/#:~:text=He%20is%20connected%20to%20the,Muslim%20is%20connected%20to%20him.&text=An%20atheist%20is%20an%20individual%20who%20does%20not%20believe%20in%20any%20religion. |website=[[News 24 (Indian TV channel)|News24]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramaseshan |first=Radhika |date=7 July 2019 |title=Minority Report |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/leisure/minority-report/articleshow/70111776.cms |website=[[Mumbai Mirror]]}}</ref>

Akhtar married [[Shabana Azmi]], the daughter of Urdu poet, [[Kaifi Azmi]] and later divorced [[Honey Irani|Irani]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://idiva.com/news-entertainment/honey-irani-on-divorce-survival-shabana-azmi/13218 |title=Honey Irani on Divorce, Survival & Shabana Azmi |publisher=iDiva.com |date=14 June 2012 |access-date=3 March 2013 |archive-date=25 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225152049/http://idiva.com/news-entertainment/honey-irani-on-divorce-survival-shabana-azmi/13218 |url-status=live }}</ref> Akhtar's uncle, Asrar-ul-Haq "[[Majaz]]" was also an Urdu poet. His uncle, [[Ansar Harvani]], was a member of the Indian independence movement and an elected Member of Parliament. Akhtar's aunt, [[Hamida Salim]], was an Indian author, economist and educator as well.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-08-17|title=Urdu author Hamida Salim passes away|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/urdu-author-hamida-salim-passes-away/article7548543.ece|access-date=2021-07-19|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719053727/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/urdu-author-hamida-salim-passes-away/article7548543.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>