Shabana Azmi talks about memory loss in old age; recalls taking care of sick father: ‘Don’t remember anyone’s name’ | Bollywood News
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, 74, recently opened up about aging and memory loss, sharing how she and her husband, Javed Akhtar, stay active through artic pursuits that keep them active. She also reflected on her experience as a caregiver for her parents—renowned poet Kaifi Azmi and theatre actor Shaukat Azmi—who were reluctant to accept help despite their health struggles.
Speaking to India Today about finding joy in old age, Shabana said, “Because we are creative people, we fortunately have work to look forward to. We are not consciously thinking about it every day, but we are aware of the fact that slowly our faculties are going to get less sharp, particularly memory. Naam toh kisi ka yaad hi nahi rehta hai (We don’t remember anyone’s name).”
Shabana recalled that her father suffered from a brain stroke that left half of his body paralyzed. Despite his struggles, he hesitated to take assance. “Although he could walk with a stick, his left arm and leg were incapacitated. When he walked, people would come to help him, and he would get irritated. Half the time, it was because people didn’t know which hand to hold. They would hold the same hand from which he held the stick, which would hamper his movement,” Shabana recalled.
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Shabana attributed her parents’ individuality and independence to their proud and self-reliant nature. “It was hard for them to accept me as a caregiver, as both of them had been very independent individuals. They never knew they would need any kind of assance. So, coming from fierce independence and then having to accept this as a way of life… I was extremely sensitive to the fact that it was a huge transition for them,” the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani actor said.
On the professional front, Shabana recently received heaps of praise for her role in the critically acclaimed web show, Dabba Cartel. She is also set to star in Sunny Deol’s highly anticipated film Lahore 1947.
