Javed Akhtar: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox officeholder

| name               = Javed Akhtar<br><big>{{Nastaliq}}</big>

| image               = Javed Akhtar in 2012.jpg

| caption             = Akhtar in 2012

| office             = [[List of nominated members of the Rajya Sabha|Nominated]] [[Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]

| term_start         = 22 March 2010

| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1945|01|17}}

| birth_place         = [[Gwalior]], [[Gwalior State]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br>{{small|(present-day [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]])}}

| nationality         = [[Indian people|Indian]]

| occupation         = {{hlist|[[Lyricist]]|[[Political activist]]|[[Poet]]|[[Screenwriter]]}}

| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|[[Honey Irani]]|1972|1985|end=divorced}}; 2 children|{{marriage|[[Shabana Azmi]]|1984}}}}

| children           = {{ubl|[[Zoya Akhtar]] (daughter)|[[Farhan Akhtar]] (son)}}

| parents             = {{ubl|Safiya Siraj-ul Haq (mother)|[[Jan Nisar Akhtar]] (father)}}

| education           = [[Colvin Taluqdars' College]], [[Lucknow]]

| awards             =

| website             =  

| signature           = Javed Akhtar Autograph.svg

'''Javed Akhtar''' (born 17 January 1945) is an Indian [[screenwriter]], [[lyricist]] and [[peon]]. Known for his work in [[Hindi cinema]], he has won five [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|National Film Awards]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Javed Akhtar Awards & Nominations List - Filmibeat|language=en|work=FilmiBeat|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/javed-akhtar/awards.html|access-date=2018-10-20}}</ref> and received the [[Padma Shri]] in 1999 and the [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2007,<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> two of India's highest [[Civilian award|civilian honours]].

Akhtar came to recognition in the duo [[Salim–Javed]], and earned his breakthrough as a screenwriter with 1973's [[Zanjeer (1973 film)|''Zanjeer'']]. He went on to write the films [[Deewaar|''Deewar'']] and ''[[Sholay]]'', both released in 1975; they earned a [[cult following]], and had a significant impact in [[popular culture]]. He later earned praise for his work as a [[lyricist]], winning the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] five times and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist]] eight times.

He notably campaigned for the [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI) and their candidate in the [[2019 Indian general election]], and was a member of parliament in [[Rajya Sabha]].<ref>[https://news.rediff.com/report/2010/mar/19/president-appoints-5-new-members-to-rajya-sabha.htm President appoints 5 new members to Rajya Sabha]</ref> For his work, he received the [[Richard Dawkins Award]] in 2020.<ref name="dawkins" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/javed-akhtar-becomes-only-indian-to-win-richard-dawkins-award|title = Javed Akhtar Becomes Only Indian to Win Richard Dawkins Award|date = 7 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="centerforinquiry.org">{{Cite web|url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/javed-akhtar-wins-richard-dawkins-award/|title=Writer, Poet, Lyricist, and Atheist Activist Javed Akhtar Wins Richard Dawkins Award &#124; Center for Inquiry|date=9 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fidalgo |first1=Paul |title=Richard Dawkins award goes to writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar |journal=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] |date=2020 |volume=45 |issue=5 |page=6}}</ref>

==Early life==

Javed Akhtar was born in 1945 in [[Gwalior]].<ref>{{cite book |editor=Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen |title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLkABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA204 |date=10 July 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-94318-9 |page=204 }}</ref> His father [[Jan Nisar Akhtar]] was a [[Bollywood]] film songwriter and [[Urdu]] poet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/on-fathers-day-javed-akhtar-recalls-the-man-who-taught-him-poetry/article6117318.ece|title=On Father's Day, Javed Akhtar recalls the man who taught him poetry|date=16 June 2014|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> His paternal grandfather [[Muztar Khairabadi]] was a poet as was his grandfather's elder brother, Bismil Khairabadi, while his great great grandfather, [[Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi]], was a religious scholar of Islam who declared the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Jihad in 1857]] against the English for religious reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-16|title=Happy Birthday Javed Akhtar: 10 best quotes from the legendary lyricist and writer|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/happy-birthday-javed-akhtar-10-best-quotes-from-the-legendary-lyricist-and-writer/story-nMOML8p1DiO13gS1s5nraJ.html|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Javed Akhtar's original name was Jadoo, taken from a line in a poem written by his father: "Lamha, lamha kisi jadoo ka fasana hoga". He was given the official name of Javed since it was the closest to the word ''jadoo''.<ref name="Chopra">{{cite book |title= [[Sholay: The Making of a Classic]] |last= Chopra |first= Anupama |year= 2000 |publisher= Penguin Books India|isbn= 0-14-02997-0X |page= 16 }}</ref> He spent most of his childhood and was schooled in [[Lucknow]]. He graduated from Saifiya College in [[Bhopal]].<ref>{{cite book |editor=David John Matthews |title=Quiver: Poems and Ghazals |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hN9jAAAAMAAJ |year=2001 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-81-7223-437-9}}</ref>

Initially, in the 1970s, there was generally no concept of having the same writer for the screenplay, story and dialogue, nor were the writers given any credits in the titles. [[Rajesh Khanna]] is credited with giving [[Salim Khan]] and Javed Akhtar their first chance to become screenplay writers by offering them work in ''[[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/news-interviews/32731341_1_rajesh-khanna-consecutive-solo-superhits-record-in-indian-film | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231114/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/news-interviews/32731341_1_rajesh-khanna-consecutive-solo-superhits-record-in-indian-film | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-12-02 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=More facts about Rajesh Khanna}}</ref> Javed Akhtar stated in an interview that one day, he went to [[Salim Khan|Salimsaab]] and said that Mr. Devar had given him a huge signing amount with which he could complete the payment for his bungalow, Aashirwad. But the film was a remake and the script of the original was far from being satisfactory. "He told us that if we could set right the script, he would make sure we got both money and credit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3718/|title=The Magic of Haathi Mere Saathi - Latest Movie Features - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] }}</ref>

Their first big success was the script for [[Andaz (1971 film)|''Andaz'']], followed by ''[[Adhikar (1971 film)|Adhikar]]'' (1971), ''[[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]]'' and ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'' (1972). They also had hits with ''[[Yaadon Ki Baaraat]]'' (1973), ''[[Zanjeer (1973 film)|Zanjeer]]'' (1973), ''[[Haath Ki Safai]]'' (1974), ''[[Deewaar]]'' (1975), ''[[Sholay]]'' (1975), ''[[Chacha Bhatija]]'' (1977), ''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'' (1978), ''[[Trishul (film)|Trishul]]'' (1978), ''[[Dostana (1980 film)|Dostana]]'' (1980), ''[[Kranti]]'' (1981), ''[[Zamana (1985 film)|Zamana]]'' (1985) and ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' (1987). They have worked together in 24 films including two [[Kannada]] films – ''[[Premada Kanike]]'' and ''[[Raja Nanna Raja]]''.

Of the 24 films they wrote, 20 were hits. The scripts they wrote, but which were not successful at box office include ''[[Aakhri Daao|Aakhri Dao]]'' (1975), ''[[Immaan Dharam]]'' (1977), ''[[Kaala Patthar]]'' (1979) and ''[[Shaan (1980 film)|Shaan]]'' (1980). Though they split in 1982, due to ego issues, some of the scripts they wrote were made into hit films later, such as ''[[Zamaana Deewana|Zamana]]'' and ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]''. Salim-Javed, many a time described as "the most successful scriptwriters of all-time",<ref>Sholay, through the eyes of Salim Khan, ''[http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-salim-khan/20120228.htm]'', Rediff.com</ref> are also noted to be the first scriptwriters in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]] to achieve star status.<ref>Ramesh Dawar (2003), ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema]'', Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

== Personal life ==

{{Quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote=“There are certain things that I’d like to make clear at the very outset. Don’t get carried away by my name — Javed Akhtar. I am not revealing a secret, I am saying something that I have said many times, in writing or on TV, in public… I’m an atheist, I have no religious beliefs. And I don’t believe in spirituality of some kind".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Atheism is the religion for these filmi folk |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/photo-features/atheism-is-the-religion-for-these-filmi-folk/atheism-is-the-religion-for-these-filmi-folk/photostory/45543752.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630162622/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/photo-features/atheism-is-the-religion-for-these-filmi-folk/photostory/45543752.cms |archive-date=30 June 2022 |publisher=[[Times of India]]}}</ref>}}

He was married to [[Honey Irani]], with whom he had two children, [[Farhan Akhtar]], a film actor, producer, director<ref>{{Cite web|title=Farhan Akhtar|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1027719/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=IMDb}}</ref> and [[Zoya Akhtar]], a film writer, director and producer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zoya Akhtar|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015295/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=IMDb}}</ref> The father-and-son duo have worked together in films such as ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]'', ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'', ''[[Rock On!!]]'' and ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' with [[Zoya Akhtar|Zoya]]. [[Farhan Akhtar|Farhan]] was married to [[Adhuna Akhtar]], a hair stylist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/chat/javechat.htm |title=Transcript of the Javed Akhtar Chat |work=rediff.com |access-date=3 March 2013}}</ref> Akhtar is an [[atheist]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120715/jsp/7days/story_15730121.jsp#.Uezxeo03D4w |title=Eye on England |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=15 July 2012 |archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719061237/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120715/jsp/7days/story_15730121.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=Javed Akhtar calls himself 'equal opportunity atheist who is against all faiths' after offending both sides|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/javed-akhtar-calls-himself-equal-opportunity-atheist-who-is-against-all-faiths-after-offending-both-sides/story-tqFPdtO3nXs03lWzuqHQWI.html|access-date=2021-10-04|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> and brought up his children [[Farhan Akhtar|Farhan]] and [[Zoya Akhtar]] as atheists.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Self-Proclaimed Celebrity Atheists &#124; Entertainment &#124; iDiva.com &#124; Page 4|url=http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203026/http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=16 December 2013|publisher=iDiva.com}}</ref>

Akhtar married [[Shabana Azmi]], the daughter of Urdu poet, [[Kaifi Azmi]] and later divorced [[Honey Irani|Irani]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idiva.com/news-entertainment/honey-irani-on-divorce-survival-shabana-azmi/13218 |title=Honey Irani on Divorce, Survival & Shabana Azmi |publisher=iDiva.com |date= 14 June 2012|access-date=3 March 2013}}</ref> Akhtar's uncle, Asrar-ul-Haq "[[Majaz]]" was also an Urdu poet. His uncle, [[Ansar Harvani]], was a member of the Indian independence movement and an elected Member of Parliament. Akhtar's aunt, [[Hamida Salim]], was an Indian author, economist and educator as well.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-08-17|title=Urdu author Hamida Salim passes away|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/urdu-author-hamida-salim-passes-away/article7548543.ece|access-date=2021-07-19|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

He was awarded the civilian honour of [[Padma Shri]] by the Government of India in 1999, followed by the [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2007.<ref name="Padma Awards" /> In 2013, he received the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] in [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Urdu|Urdu]], India's second highest literary honour, for his poetry collection ''Lava''.<ref>[http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/pdf/award2013-e.pdf "Poets dominate Sahitya Akademi Awards 2013"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219002741/http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/pdf/award2013-e.pdf |date=19 December 2013 }}. [[Sahitya Akademi]]. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.</ref> In 2019, he was conferred with an [[honorary doctorate]] ([[D.Litt|Doctor of Letters]]) by the [[Jamia Hamdard|Jamia Hamdard University]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/javed-akhtar-conferred-with-honorary-doctorate-by-jamia-hamdard-university-2055183.html |title=Javed Akhtar Conferred With Honorary Doctorate by Jamia Hamdard University |date=2019-03-04 |website=[[News18 India]] |access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref> In 2020 he was awarded the [[Richard Dawkins Award]] for being a "powerful force for secularism, reason, and human rights, challenging superstition and intolerance through his work in poetry, screenwriting, and political activism".<ref name="dawkins">{{Citation|title=Javed Akhtar Wins Richard Dawkins Award|url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/javed-akhtar-wins-richard-dawkins-award-550966|access-date=2021-08-09}}.</ref><ref name="centerforinquiry.org"/>

| 1996 || rowspan="5" | [[National Film Awards]]||[[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || ''[[Saaz (film)|Saaz]]'' ||

| 1997 ||[[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || ''[[Border (1997 film)|Border]]'' ||

| 1998 ||[[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || ''[[Godmother (film)|Godmother]]'' ||

| 2000 ||[[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || ''[[Refugee (2000 film)|Refugee]]'' ||  

| 2001 ||[[National Film Award for Best Lyrics|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || ''[[Lagaan]]'' ||  

| 1995 || rowspan="13" | [[Filmfare Awards]] ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" from ''[[1942: A Love Story]]'' ||

| 1997 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || "Ghar Se Nikalte" from ''[[Papa Kehte Hai]]'' ||

| 1989 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{Nominated}} || "Ek Do Teen" from ''[[Tezaab]]'' ||

| 1990 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Dialogue]] || {{won}} || ''[[Main Azaad Hoon]]'' ||

| 1998 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || "Sandese Aate Hai" from ''[[Border (1997 film)|Border]]'' ||

| 1998 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{Nominated}} || "Chand Taare" from ''[[Yes Boss (film)|Yes Boss]]'' ||

| 1999 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{Nominated}} || "Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam" from ''[[Duplicate (1998 film)|Duplicate]]'' ||

| 1984 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Story]] || {{nominated}} || ''[[Betaab]]'' ||

| 1985 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Story]] || {{nominated}} || ''[[Mashaal]]'' ||

| 1986 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Story]] || {{nominated}} || ''[[Arjun (1985 film)|Arjun]]'' ||

| 2001 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || "Panchchi Nadiyaan" from ''[[Refugee (2000 film)|Refugee]]'' ||

| 2002 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{won}} || "Radha Kaise Naa Jale" from ''[[Lagaan]]'' ||

| 2002 ||[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Lyrics]] || {{Nominated}} || "Mitwa" from ''[[Lagaan]]'' || <ref>{{cite news |title=KANK, Omkara lead GIFA list with 12 nominations each |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/10/27/kank-omkara-lead-gifa-list-with-12-nominations-each-1161929125.html?story=1 |work=Oneindia |date=27 October 2006 |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==

=== As screenwriter ===

| 1976 || ''[[Premada Kanike]]'' || [[Kannada]]|| [[V. Somashekhar]] || [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]], [[Aarathi]] || Written as "[[Salim–Javed|Salim-Javed]]"

| 1976 || ''[[Raja Nanna Raja]]'' || [[Kannada]]|| [[A. V. Seshagiri Rao]] ||[[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]], [[Aarathi]] || Written as "[[Salim–Javed|Salim-Javed]]"

| 1981 || ''[[Kranti]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Manoj Kumar]] || [[Manoj Kumar]], [[Dilip Kumar]], [[Hema Malini]], [[Shashi Kapoor]], [[Shatrughan Sinha]], [[Parveen Babi]]

| 1982 || ''[[Shakti (1982 film)|Shakti]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Ramesh Sippy]] || [[Dilip Kumar]], [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Raakhee]], [[Anil Kapoor]] || Written as "[[Salim–Javed|Salim-Javed]]"

| 1985 || ''[[Zamana (1985 film)|Zamana]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Ramesh Talwar]] || [[Rajesh Khanna]], [[Rishi Kapoor]], [[Poonam Dhillon]], [[Ranjeeta Kaur]] || Written as "[[Salim–Javed|Salim-Javed]]"

| 1987 || ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' || [[Hindi]]||[[Shekhar Kapur]] || [[Anil Kapoor]], [[Sridevi]], [[Amrish Puri]] || Written as "[[Salim–Javed|Salim-Javed]]"

| 1983 || ''[[Betaab]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Rahul Rawail]] || [[Sunny Deol]], [[Amrita Singh]] || Written as "Javed Akhtar"

| 1984 || ''[[Duniya (1984 film)|Duniya]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Ramesh Talwar]] || [[Dilip Kumar]], [[Rishi Kapoor]], [[Amrita Singh]] ||Written as "Javed Akhtar"

| 2004 || ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Farhan Akhtar]] || [[Hrithik Roshan]], [[Preity Zinta]], [[Amitabh Bachchan]] ||Written as "Javed Akhtar"

| 2006 || ''[[Don: The Chase Begins Again]]'' || [[Urdu|Hindi]]||[[Farhan Akhtar]] || [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Priyanka Chopra]] ||Written as "Javed Akhtar"

== Work as lyricist==

* ''[[Jaadugar (1989 film)|Jaadugar]]''

* ''[[Satta (2003 film)|Satta]]''

 

*{{Cite book|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|title=[[Sholay: The Making of a Classic|Sholay – The Making of a Classic]]|publisher=[[Penguin Books India]]|year=2000|isbn=0-14-029970-X|author-link=Anupama Chopra}}

* {{cite book|author1=Kabir|first=Nasreen Munni|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRYgf5qVYiIC|title=Talking Songs: Javed Akhtar in Conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-0-19-568712-5|author-link=Nasreen Munni Kabir}}

* [http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0 Javed Akhtar at Kavita Kosh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423100251/http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0 |date=23 April 2009 }} (Hindi)

[[Category:Films with screenplays by Salim–Javed|*]]