Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar has opened up about the childhood of his son, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar. He said Farhan surprised him as he grew up. In his new book Talking Life, Javed says that Farhan Akhtar was the "shy" and "quiet" child compared to his daughter, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar. Farhan, according to Javed, became a different person when he turned 23.
Javed also said that the success of Zoya Akhtar and Farhan gives him 'greater happiness than my own success'. He also mentioned the 'latent actor' within himself. Javed and Honey Irani married in March 1972 and divorced in 1985. They had Zoya in October 1972 and Farhan two years later. Javed later married Shabana Azmi, an actress.
In the book, Javed said, "Farhan has really surprised me. Because I was extremely worried about him. I was not worried about Zoya. Right from her childhood, Zoya was strong and precocious. Even when she was six or seven, she argued logically. On the other hand, Farhan was very quiet and shy... He was not a kid who argued and fought. In fact, he was intimidated by Zoya. I did not know that even in his childhood, he had another persona when he was among his peer group. I came to know much later about different aspects of his personality."
He also added, "It may sound dramatic, but it's a fact that the success of my children gives me greater happiness than my own success. I feel proud of Zoya and Farhan. Honestly, I have never felt proud of my own work in the same way. Zoya and I tend to think logically and try to analyze things objectively. Farhan and I share a sense of humor, and a happy-go-lucky attitude, taking things in a lighter vein, and not making things into an issue. Many people have told me I could narrate a screenplay well. I think that was the latent actor in me. I may have had some acting talent that Farhan clearly has."
Farhan made his directorial debut in 2001 with Dil Chahta Hai. With the musical drama Rock On, he made his Bollywood debut (2008). He also appeared in several other films, including Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Javed is credited with co-writing several iconic films. These include Deewaar, Don, and Sholay, with his former writing partner Salim Khan.
