Javed Akhtar has been candid about his struggle with alcohol addiction and its effects on both his personal and professional life. In a recent interview, he reflected on the period when he would drink heavily, even when alone. He also disclosed that at one point, he used to consume “18 bottles of beer in one sitting.”
Javed Akhtar opens up about his evolution with alcohol; says, “I didn’t even need any company”
In a conversation with Mid Day, Javed Akhtar recalled how he transitioned from whiskey to beer and eventually to rum. “I got allergic to whiskey. Then, I thought that I must have only beer. However, I used to drink 18 bottles of beer in only one sitting. Fir mujhe laga ki yaar yeh kya pet phoola raha hun main apna. So, I quit it and started drinking rum.”
The lyricist and screenwriter also shared that he never sought company while drinking. He stated, “I didn’t even need any company. Koi hai toh achi baat hai, nahi toh main akele pee lunga.”
In a previous interview with Sapan Verma, Javed Akhtar admitted that his alcohol addiction contributed to the failure of his marriage with his ex-wife, Honey Irani. “I regret the failure of my first marriage. It could have been saved. But it was my irresponsible attitude, my drinking… When you’re drunk, you make impulsive decisions and start fighting over things that aren’t even that big of an issue. These are the mistakes I made,” he confessed.
He also discussed giving up alcohol, stating, “The few good things I have done in life included quitting alcohol. July 31, 1991, was the last time I drank. I never took a sip of champagne after that. Not even during celebratory cheers.”
Additionally, Javed Akhtar’s wife, actress Shabana Azmi, spoke about her experience of dealing with her husband’s alcoholism. She revealed, “It was very difficult. He had decided that he wouldn’t be able to live longer and do creative work anymore if he didn’t quit drinking like this.”
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