Javed Akhtar spends a memorable 70th birthday

Mumbai: Thinker-writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar had the most unforgettable 70th birthday bash on Saturday at Sukoon, the Azmis’ farmhouse in Lonavala. The sumptuous lunch was attended by all his close friends, relatives and admirers.

Shabana Azmi says, “It turned out to be the most memorable birthday weekend ever. We had invited friends from London, Delhi, Hyderabad and Nasik. From director Shaad Ali’s year-old son to my mother every generation of guests attended the party. This is my definition of a perfect do.”

Farhan and Zoya Akhtar welcomed the guests along with Javed and Shabana.

The huge lunch spread included rich food like paya, haleem, raan biryani, and methi-jhinga fried fish.

After lunch, Javed Akhtar’s friends from the music industry sang and danced. But, the highlight was when Javed and Shabana danced to the song Piya tu, ab to aaja.

Javed broke down when singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan presented him with a piano. “I already had a place for a piano at Sukoon. It just fell into place. Like everything else at Javed’s birthday celebration,” says Shabana, while  adding, “We’re blessed to have so much goodwill from our colleagues and friends.”