Veterans Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar are set on a new endeavour — come Sunday, the duo will launch the works of their poet-fathers in the form of published pieces. Dhanak, a collection of pieces written by Jan Nisar Akhtar, and Daaera, which will include the works of Kaifi Azmi will be unveiled at an event in Delhi. 

Shabana tells mid-day, “I can’t remember who initiated this conversation. It was such an organic process. Both of us are admirers of these two great poets. The least we could do as their progeny was make a selection of their work available to a larger audience. Minakshi Thakur, the editor and publisher, loved the idea. The books have long forewords by us, which will provide glimpses into their personal lives and their poetry.” While Shabana served as the editor on her father-in-law’s works, Javed edited Azmi’s collection.