'The magic mantra is 'Drop it!"

'As we grow older, we fight much less with each other.'

Seventy plus and she is as sprightly as ever. Actors half her age are not as busy as Shabana Azmi, who has just wrapped up a film, Bun Tikki, produced by Manish Malhotra and directed by Faraz Ansari, in which her pairing with Zeenat Aman has already evoked a lot of interest.

Dabba Cartel, the Web series she is doing with Excel Entertainment, is also scheduled to wrap up, after which she starts prepping for a new film which goes on the floors in February.

She is still receiving accolades for her work in Shekhar Kapur’s What’s Love Got to Do With It?, Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and R Balki’s Ghoomer.

“2023 was a satisfying year, work-wise,” she admits.

But this interview is not so much about her professional achievements; it’s very personal.

The love of her life, husband Javed Akhtar, turns 79 on January 17, and Shabana tells “Even after 39 years of marriage, I double over with laughter because he is so funny.”

What plans to bring in Javedsaab’S birthday?

Some dear friends are hosting a small dinner for him because our house is broken down for renovations.

Which birthday, so far, has been the most fun?

I think the most memorable birthday was his 70th.

It was a lunch at Sukoon (their bungalow in Khandala) and there was live singing by Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam,

Sona Mahapatra and several others.

Finally, they all came together and sang Kal Ho Na Ho with so much love and respect that there was not a dry eye left.

A birthday gift he has always cherished?

I’m not one for giving presents on special days.