Overview

• They fell in love on the sets of Seeta Aur Geeta in the early 1970s and married in 1972 before separating after 11 years.
• Irani recounts that at the peak of his Salim-Javed partnership Akhtar often dismissed her with remarks like “Tum nahi samjhogi.”
• She says she knew early on that their marriage wasn’t working and insists her perspective remained measured despite personal anger.
• Akhtar’s nearly two-decade battle with alcohol addiction added strain to their relationship and professional collaboration.
• The former couple now share a close friendship and Irani praises his evolution into a supportive and respectful mentor.