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Shabana Azmi Shares Why She Chose Acceptance Over Adoption and Redefined Womanhood
Shabana Azmi has spoken candidly about her journey with infertility and the choices that shaped her life. The acclaimed actor shared that she never viewed womanhood as dependent on motherhood and refused to let societal expectations dictate her identity. She said the emotional space often associated with having children was naturally fulfilled through her relationship with Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, Javed Akhtar’s children from his first marriage.
Reflecting on her past interviews, Shabana recalled the difficulty of accepting infertility and the societal pressures that often make women feel inadequate. She emphasised that self-worth must come from one’s work and individuality, not from conforming to patriarchal expectations.
In a 2000 interview with Simi Garewal, Shabana explained why she never chose adoption, stating that her bond with Javed’s children already fulfilled her emotional needs. She described her connection with them as intellectually rich, meaningful, and grounded in mutual respect.
She also noted that not having children simplified certain life choices and gave her more time for her career and personal pursuits. Instead of dwelling on grief, Shabana chose gratitude and moved forward with intention, focusing on the opportunities life offered rather than what it didn’t.
Shabana Azmi was recently seen in Netflix’s Dabba Cartel, where she portrayed a drug cartel leader.
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Published: Dec 10, 2025
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