Javed Akhtar

Javed Akhtar – Life, Career, and Influential Voice

Explore the life and work of Javed Akhtar (born January 17, 1945)—Indian poet, lyricist, screenwriter, activist. Delve into his early years, his partnership in Bollywood, his activism, famous quotes, and enduring legacy.

Introduction

Javed Akhtar is a towering figure in Indian cultural and public life. Known as a lyricist, poet, screenwriter, and outspoken public intellectual, he has shaped Hindi cinema’s storytelling, influenced social and political discourse, and stood firm for secularism, artistic rights, and reason. If you are browsing “life and career of Javed Akhtar,” “Javed Akhtar quotes,” or “Javed Akhtar activism,” this article aims to give a holistic portrait of his journey, beliefs, and impact.

Early Life and Family

Javed Akhtar was born January 17, 1945, in Gwalior, in what was then the Gwalior State of British India (now in Madhya Pradesh). Jan Nisar Akhtar, was an Urdu poet and songwriter; his mother, Safia Akhtar, came from a literary milieu.

He belongs to a distinguished literary lineage: his paternal grandfather Muztar Khairabadi, and great-grandfather Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi were respected poets and scholars.

In his childhood, he was affectionately nicknamed “Jadoo”, a name derived from a line in his father’s poetry; later, he took the formal name Javed.

He was educated in Lucknow (Colvin Taluqdars’ College) and later at Saifiya College in Bhopal.

Professional Life & Major Achievements

Salim–Javed: The Screenwriting Duo

Javed Akhtar first gained prominence through his collaboration with Salim Khan, forming the legendary duo Salim–Javed. Zanjeer in 1973, which is widely considered their breakthrough.

Some of their iconic works include Deewaar, Sholay (1975), and many other films that defined the “angry young man” era in Bollywood.

Although the duo parted ways in the early 1980s, their scripts continued influencing generations of filmmakers.

Lyricist & Poet

After his partnership with Salim, Javed Akhtar turned his energy more prominently toward writing lyrics and poetry. National Film Awards for Best Lyrics and many Filmfare Awards over his career.

His poetic and lyrical voice often reflects introspection, social commentary, love, loss, and the human condition.

He published collections like Tarkash (1995) and Lava (2012) (for which he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu).

Public Service, Activism & Voice

Javed Akhtar has long been vocal in public discourse on secularism, free expression, religious tolerance, artistic rights and more.

He served a term as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from March 22, 2010, to March 21, 2016, nominated in the arts category.

He actively supported the right (Amendment) Act, 2012, advocating for fair royalties for lyricists and composers. During that campaign, he faced backlash—including an industry boycott—which he later said led to days without food but never to despair.

In recognition of his secular and public intellectual stand, he was awarded the Richard Dawkins Award in 2020.

He remains an outspoken critic of religious bigotry and political polarization. Recently, when facing Islamophobic and religious attacks, he responded with defiance: as one report states, when confronted with labels like “kaafir” and “jihadi,” he remarked, “If I only have a choice of going either to hell or to Pakistan, I would rather go to hell.”

Personal Life

Javed Akhtar’s personal life has its own narrative of resilience and relationships.

He was first married to Honey Irani, and together they had two children: Farhan Akhtar (actor, director, producer) and Zoya Akhtar (director, screenwriter).

After his divorce from Honey Irani, he married actress Shabana Azmi in 1984.

Although raised in a Muslim household, Javed identifies as a self-described “equal opportunity atheist” (i.e. critical of all faiths), while also acknowledging his cultural Muslim heritage.

Style, Philosophy & Influence

Literary & Creative Style

• Depth & nuance: His poetry and lyrics often incorporate introspection, philosophy, social commentary, and emotional complexity.

• Urdu sensitivity: Javed’s mastery of Urdu poetic traditions brings a lyrical elegance to his Hindi film lyrics.

• Blending public & private: Many of his works bridge personal feelings and broader human themes.

As Public Intellectual

• Secularism & pluralism: He has consistently defended India’s secular fabric and spoken against religious polarizations.

• Artistic justice: His role in fighting for fair remuneration for creators underscores his conviction that artists deserve dignity and rights.

• Courage under fire: His willingness to face backlash (political, religious, industrial) reveals his commitment to principle over popularity.

Memorable Quotes by Javed Akhtar

Here are a few quotes and remarks attributed to him that reflect his convictions:

• “I would rather go to hell, than Pakistan.” — responding to religious/political taunts.

• On facing industry backlash for supporting copyright reform: he once said he endured hunger and boycotts, yet “I never thought of suicide.”

• On his early struggles: he recalled arriving in Mumbai as a young man with only 27 naya paisa, facing homelessness and starvation, yet now reflecting “life has been too kind to me.”

Beyond these, much of his poetic voice is best experienced through his lyrics, poetry collections, and public essays.

Lessons & Legacy

1. Art has social force
   Javed Akhtar’s life underscores that lyricists, poets, and screenwriters can influence not just entertainment but cultural values and public discourse.

2. Stand for principle, even under pressure
   His advocacy for creators’ rights and secular values came at personal cost—but his persistence helped shift norms.

3. Roots matter
   His family heritage in poetry and scholarship formed a foundation; but he had to forge his own path in cinema and public life.

4. Resilience through hardship
   From early poverty and marginalization to becoming a celebrated figure, his journey is a testament to perseverance.

5. Blending creativity and activism
   He never confined himself solely to art; he used his voice to speak up on rights, reason, and justice, bridging the domains of culture and politics.

Conclusion

Javed Akhtar (born January 17, 1945) is much more than a celebrated lyricist and screenwriter—he is a cultural conscience and public intellectual of India. With a lineage steeped in poetry, he carried forward that legacy into modern Hindi cinema, crafted unforgettable songs and scripts, and consistently used his stature to defend secularism, artistic dignity, and reason.

His journey—from humble struggles to global acclaim—offers insights to creatives, activists, and seekers alike. If you like, I can also prepare a chronological timeline of his works and public statements, or a deeper selection of his poetry and translation with commentary. Would you like me to share that next?