Guess what Shabana Azmi got on her 60th birthday from husband Javed Akhtar - a cake designed as a slum!
This was revealed by Amitabh Bachchan, who was invited to the bash, where the theme was 'wear a headgear'.
Big B, 67, who worked with Shabana in 'Amar Akbar Anthony', was at the birthday bash with wife Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya.
"At Shabana Azmi's 60th (birthday)... such joy to meet up with old friends and colleagues... and listening to blaring 60's-70's music... Javed Saheb at his humorous best... in splits with his one liners! Shatru (Shatrughan Sinha), Vinod (Khanna) and I meeting after ages... such nostalgia (sic)," Amitabh posted on his Twitter page.
"The theme for the party was 'wear a head gear'... I mustered a Manali cap.. many did not comply... Javed and Shabana spiked hair... Javed Saheb's gift to Shabana - a cake designed like a slum!! Touche," he added.
Shabana Azmi's 60th birthday party had for its invitees a mix of friends, family and selected colleagues from the film industry who had converged at the Trilogy lounge in Mumbai.
"Not like Javed (Akhtar)'s 60th birthday party which was as lavish and large as a wedding reception," laughed Shabana heartily, adding: "But a motley group of invitees from theatre and my political activities."
At the party Shabana danced to the 'Munni Badnaam Hui' number from 'Dabangg' and even got Jaya Bachchan to join in.
"I was doing a performance of my new play 'Seven' in Delhi till late in the night on Friday. So all the arrangements for the party were done by my gal pals Parna (best friend for decades) and Shahana (Goswami) and my sister-in-law Tanvi," said the actress.
It seemed rather unbelievable that the timeless Shabana Azmi had actually turned 60 but the matter of age amused her.
"I can't understand why being 60 should be such an issue. I am asked in interviews 'Kaisa lag raha hai?' What is one supposed to feel? I am very proud to have arrived at this place. Do I feel 60? I don't know. Because I don't know how other 60-year-olds feel. I am just happy," she said.
Shabana stepped into her 61st year of age with her friends in Delhi. "We wrapped up the play in the evening and then I was with my friends in Delhi to ring in my birthday. Then I flew into Mumbai for my party. So, it's been almost a non-stop celebration for me," she said.
The play 'Seven' in which she performed in Delhi is one more attempt to bring her personal convictions on a public platform.
"Someone pointed out something interesting to me. I was shooting for Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' during my birthday many years ago. Now, I was performing a play with a strong feminist message on this birthday. It's an interesting summation of my journey as an actress and a woman," she said.
Shabana is toying with the idea of writing an autobiography. "Many friends and well-wishers think I should. They see something in my life that could be useful to others. Let's see," said the actress.
Her mantra for such luminous longevity? "I guess it's my refusal to conform. I don't see why I have to wear the colours that are politically correct. Who says saffron is identified with one religion and green with another? I'll wear both colours together. And let me see who can stop me."
