He ruled the roost in the 1970s, giving dignity and stature to Indian screenwriting -- and later turning into an impeccable poet and lyricist.
And his director son changed the face of Indian cinema with the groundbreaking Dil Chahta Hai.
Meet Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and Farhan Akhtar in a very interesting episode of Koffee with Karan
Karan: I am very nervous today because I'm feeling compelled to sound very clever and intellectual and very social, socially relevant!
Shabana Azmi: And I am feeling very nervous because I am compelled to be very frothy and light!
Karan: You both have opinions that you like to express, and you're not afraid to express them. You both are individualistic in your own way and yet you have had a tremendous marriage. A marriage based on friendship. How have these 23 years been?
Shabana Azmi: I think we meet so rarely and that is the reason for the success of the marriage. But also because I think we share a worldview, we belong to similar backgrounds and because we are friends, more than anything else.
Karan: Why? You are both that busy?
Javed Akhtar: Yes!
Karan: So basically it's a phone marriage!
Shabana Azmi: And we meet at airports once in a while!
Don't miss: Exclusive Interview with Javed and Farhan Akhtar: Part I | Part II | Part III
Karan: Do you'll agree on things? Like your opinion on films? Do you both have the same opinions?
Javed Akhtar: No, no, no!
Karan: Because once Shabanaji saw a film that didn't do very well, and she came and said, 'Bhai, the bad news for this film is that I have liked it!'
Shabana Azmi: There are director friends of mine who live in terror when I see a preview because if I've liked it, it's really doomsday for the film. That is standard.
Karan: And do you fight at home about your opinions on films, songs, things?
Javed Akhtar: We have ultimately reconciled to the fact that we do not agree on many things. If people are totally similar, then there is no point in living together because one is enough, and if people are totally different then there is no point in living together because you won't be able to live together. So you need certain similarities and certain dissimilarities, and this tension is interesting.
Karan: Which is the one big fight you have had over a film or a political situation? Something because of which there was war at home?
Javed Akhtar: There was a film in which Shabana was the leading lady, Ek Pal. It was made by Kalpana Lajmi. It was appreciated by many people, but I didn't like it. They thought that it was about women empowerment but it was not my definition of women empowerment, their individuality and their assertion.
Shabana Azmi: The good thing is that Javed is truly a feminist. He is a confident enough feminist not to want to be politically correct. He genuinely feels it.
Karan: Farhan, how do you perceive them as a couple?
Farhan Akhtar: They seem extremely happy for many many years now. It's fantastic!
Karan: Javedsaab and you almost have a healthy friendship. The interaction is almost hysterical, every time I've seen you'll together its like two friends chatting, even warring maybe at times, maybe conflict. Seems like a friendship, which is tough when there is a generation gap.
Farhan Akhtar: Yeah I know! Shabana calls me a chamcha of Pa, because I keep laughing at all his jokes. But I don't think I'm the only one. All of us do!
Javed Akhtar: You know, so often people have told me: there is only one person in this world who is funnier than you, and that is your son!
Catch the rest of the family antics on Koffee With Karan: Sunday, August 12 at 9 pm on Star One and Star World.