Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has shed light on the details of the recently settled defamation case between her husband, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and actress Kangana Ranaut. Nearly a month after the case was resolved in a Mumbai court, Azmi revealed that Akhtar was primarily seeking a written apology rather than any monetary compensation. Her statement challenges the prevailing perception that the settlement was mutual, raising questions about how the legal battle ultimately concluded.
Shabana Azmi On Kangana Ranaut, Javed Akhtar Defamation Case
Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Shabana Azmi clarified that Akhtar’s sole demand in the case was for Kangana to issue a written apology for her statements. “They had asked for no monetary compensation but for her apology in writing. The victory is his and his lawyer Jay Bhardwaj’s,” she stated. Azmi also expressed surprise that media reports framed the resolution as a mutual settlement without highlighting Akhtar’s specific request. “I’m mystified why the press made it seem as though it was a mutual settlement but did not mention that it was the apology in writing which he was seeking and why he had fought the case for four and a half years,” she added.
The legal dispute between Akhtar and Ranaut began in 2020 when the veteran lyricist filed a defamation case against the actress. He alleged that she had tarnished his reputation by making baseless allegations against him in connection to the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. During a TV interview, Kangana had claimed that Akhtar was part of a group that attempted to intimidate her and suppress her voice in Bollywood. In response, she filed a counter-complaint in 2021, accusing him of criminal intimidation and alleging that he had coerced her into apologizing to a fellow actor during a meeting at his residence in 2016.
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In February 2024, both parties reached a resolution through court-mediated discussions. As part of the settlement, Kangana formally retracted her earlier statements and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to Akhtar. The mediation report submitted to the court included her statement: “The statements made by me in the interview dated July 19, 2020, and thereafter were a result of misunderstanding. I hereby unconditionally withdraw all the statements made by me…and I undertake not to repeat the same in the future. I apologise for the inconvenience caused to Mr. Javed Akhtar, who is one of the senior-most members of the film fraternity, and I have the highest regard for him.”
Following Kangana’s apology, Akhtar agreed to withdraw his complaint, leading to the official closure of the case. The duo appeared before a special court in Mumbai to confirm their decision to withdraw all legal proceedings against each other.
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After the settlement, Kangana took to Instagram to share her perspective on the resolution. She described Akhtar as “kind and gracious” during the mediation process and revealed that their discussions went beyond the case. “Today, Javedji and I have resolved our legal matter (defamation case) through mediation. In the mediation, Javed ji has been very kind and gracious. He also agreed to write songs for my next directorial,” she wrote. She also posted a picture of herself standing with Akhtar, smiling, suggesting an amicable end to the prolonged legal dispute.
The high-profile legal battle lasted for over four years before being settled in early 2024. While the resolution appeared to be a mutual agreement at first glance, Shabana Azmi’s recent revelation suggests that Akhtar was primarily focused on restoring his reputation through a formal apology rather than any financial compensation.