Javed Akhtar shared his balanced view on the

joint family system

, acknowledging its pros and cons. He revealed that his children live separately, and it often takes 4-5 days to schedule a meeting with his son, Farhan Akhtar.
During a conversation in the US, shared on Zaidi Channel on YouTube, Javed discussed his family dynamics. He mentioned having a small family comprising himself, his wife Shabana Azmi, son Farhan Akhtar, and daughter Zoya Akhtar. While he and Shabana live together, both his children have their own separate homes.

The veteran lyricist reflected on how times have changed since his childhood, recalling that it once seemed strange for people in the US or England to call relatives before visiting. He noted how this practice, which once shocked others, has now become a normal part of life, sharing this observation with a laugh.

Javed also shared that during his trip, many asked why he hadn’t brought Farhan along. He humorously explained that both of them are so busy that meetings usually require planning days in advance, emphasizing that this is just how life works now.
He further stated that it’s natural for children to live independently, as being overly controlling is unnatural. Drawing a comparison with animals, he noted how they nurture their young with love but let them go once they grow up. He emphasized that humans dictating to grown children is an unnatural behavior.