Javed Akhtar's love for desserts is well-known, and his wife, Shabana Azmi, has often shared anecdotes about his sweet tooth. According to Azmi, the celebrated lyricist and writer can eat sweets even for breakfast. If she were to pack him a lunchbox, it would be filled with various kinds of "meetha".
So, what exactly are Javed Akhtar's favorite desserts? Gulab Jamun tops the list, followed closely by Mishti Doi and Milk Cake. Shabana Azmi has also shared a humorous story about Javed Akhtar and Naseeruddin Shah's unique culinary preferences, stating that they are capable of eating Khubani Ka Meetha (a sweet Hyderabadi apricot dessert) with vanilla ice cream and Gulab Jamun, a combination she finds unusual.
While Javed Akhtar enjoys indulging in sweets, he also appreciates a variety of cuisines. Irrespective of whether he is in India or abroad, he prefers Indian food. However, he also enjoys Thai, Chinese, and Continental cuisines as secondary choices.
His fondness for desserts isn't just limited to Indian sweets. During a trip to Hyderabad many years ago, he mentioned that Khubani ka meetha with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a must every time he dines there.
Javed Akhtar's 80th birthday celebration earlier this year also highlighted his connection to the film industry and his love for sweets. Vidya Balan and Siddharth Roy Kapur presented him with a customized cake that paid tribute to his most iconic films, such as Sholay, Deewaar, and Shaan. The cake featured images of popular characters from these movies, but with Javed Akhtar's face superimposed on them. The message on the cake read, "A man of character(s)". Shabana Azmi shared a photo of the cake on Instagram, drawing attention to its intricate details and the face-swap feature.
Beyond his fondness for desserts, Javed Akhtar is a celebrated poet, screenwriter, and lyricist. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Literature from a London University in the presence of his wife, Shabana Azmi, and son, Farhan Akhtar. Farhan Akhtar shared a family picture from the event on Instagram, congratulating his father on the achievement.
Recently, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi traveled to London to attend Wimbledon. Shabana shared a picture of herself with her husband on the flight, expressing their faith in Air India and calling it the "best inflight service in the world".
Whether he is enjoying his favorite Indian desserts or attending cultural events in London, Javed Akhtar's passion for life and his contributions to literature and cinema continue to inspire many.
