Celebrated poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and social commentator Javed Akhtar is one of the most well-known and well-respected film personalities alive today. The legend is not only known for his blockbuster films and iconic songs; he is also known for his no-nonsense approach and his clear views.
Words are not thoughts, just like bricks are not homes. But houses are made with bricks. If you have less bricks, you will make a small house. The more words you have, the clearer your thoughts, and the more clearly you can convey them.
Javed Akhtar
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Early Life and Family
Javed Akhtar was born on 17th January 1945 in Gwalior into a family of literary geniuses and luminaries. His father, Jan Nisar Akhtar, a renowned film songwriter and Urdu poet, was a part of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. Javed Akhtar’s paternal grandfather, Muztar Khairabadi, and his elder brother, Bismil Khairabadi, were renowned poets.
His great-grandfather, Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, was a scholar of Islamic studies and theology. Khairabadi played an important role in the first independence movement of India in 1857. For his role in the rebellion, Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was sent to Kala Pani Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He died on August 19, 1861, in Andaman and was buried there.
His mother, Safia Akhtar, was a writer herself. She was the sister of revolutionary poet Majaz, as well as freedom fighter and member of Parliament, Ansar Harvani. Her sister is author, economist, and educator Hamida Salim. Javed has a brother named Salman Akhtar, who is a famous psychoanalyst and writer. Salman works at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia as a professor of psychiatry and human behavior. He also has one half brother, Shahid Akhtar, and two half sisters named Uneza Akhtar and Albina.
Javed Akhtar “Jadoo”
Initially, his name was ‘Jadoo (magic),’ which was taken from his father’s poem “Lamha, lamha kisi jadoo ka fasana hoga (Each moment will be a story of the magic).” He was given the official name ‘Javed’ as it was closest to the word ‘Jadoo.’ Javed spent most of his childhood in Lucknow, where he went to Colvin Taluqdars’ College. He completed his schooling at Minto Circle School, Aligarh, and graduated (Bachelors in Arts) from Saifiya College in Bhopal.
During his college days, he was a good debater and won the Rotary Club Prize for three years consecutively. He even won several inter-college debates and also represented Vikram University at the National Youth Festival in Delhi.
Javed came to Mumbai in 1964, in hopes of making it big in Bollywood. He had no food to eat and no place to sleep. After spending his nights under trees or in corridors, he finally found a place to stay in Kamal Amrohi Studio in Jogeshwari.
Javed Akhtar Meet Salim Khan
In the late 1960s, Javed met Salim Khan, a fellow struggling writer and actor, and the two decided to collaborate. Salim Khan and Javed first met on the sets of “Sarhadi Lootera,” where Salim was an actor and Javed was a clapper boy. Later, Javed was promoted to dialogue writer.
This partnership marked the beginning of one of the most successful screenwriting duos in Indian cinema, known as Salim-Javed. While Salim Khan was responsible for developing the stories and characters, Javed Akhtar focused on writing the dialogues. They started their career as ghostwriters for films for survival. This writing work got them the attention of the production house of G. P. Sippy.
They met Rajesh Khanna during the making of “Andaz (1971),” directed by Ramesh Sippy. When Rajesh Khanna hated the story of one of his proposed films and asked them to improve it. They changed the whole story, and the resulting film was “Haathi Mere Saathi (1971).”
Salim-Javed Era
This was the start of the Salim-Javed era, as both these films went on to become blockbusters, establishing them as the force in the Hindi film industry. Together, they revolutionised Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s, transforming the Hindi film formula and pioneering the blockbuster format.
Soon after the roaring success of Andaz and Haathi Mere Saathi, they came up with another blockbuster, “Seeta Aur Geeta (1972).” Directed by Ramesh Sippy the film starr Hema Malini in a double role.
Angry Young Man
There next was “Zanjeer (1973),” directed by Prakash Mehra. The film marked the beginning of Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” persona. Zanjeer was the film that changed the way police stories were presented in Hindi films. The film’s success catapulted Bachchan to stardom and established Salim-Javed as the top screenwriters in the industry.
In 1975 they wrote Yash Chopra’s “Deewaar (1975),” which is considered one of the greatest Indian films of all time. The story of two brothers on opposite sides of the law started the trend of such stories. The film started the trend of underworld-related stories. The same year they wrote “Sholay (1975),” which is one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time and is considered a classic in Indian cinema. The film’s memorable characters, dialogues, and action sequences have made it an iconic watch.
Other Hits
Some of their most notable works include “Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973),” a film that reintroduced the lost and found formula; the suspense thriller “Majboor (1974)”; “Trishul (1978),” a revenge saga featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, and Sanjeev Kumar in pivotal roles; “Don (1978),” directed by Chandra Barot and starring Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role; one of the finest disaster movies of Indian cinema, “Kala Pathar (1979)”; the action thriller “Shaan (1981)”; and the historical drama “Kranti (1981).”
Some of their other films are “Haath Ki Safai (1974),” “Aakhri Dao (1975),” “Premada Kanike (1976),” “Raja Nanna Raja (1976),” “Immaan Dharam (1977),” “Chacha Bhatija (1977),” “Dostana (1980),” and “Shakti (1982).” They have worked together in 24 films, including two Kannada films—Premada Kanike and Raja Nanna Raja.
Legacy of Salim Javed
Salim-Javed revolutionised the industry by transforming and reinventing the blockbuster format and introducing new genres such as the masala action film. Their films often addressed socio-economic and socio-political issues of contemporary India. Themes such as urban slum poverty, political corruption, and organised crime were prevalent in their work, making their films relevant and relatable to the audience.
One of their most significant contributions was the creation of the “angry young man” character archetype, which became synonymous with Amitabh Bachchan. This character mirrored the frustrations and aspirations of the common man, making Bachchan a cultural icon and redefining heroism in Indian cinema.
Split of Salim-Javed
The partnership of Salim-Javed lasted until 1982, after which they decided to part ways. Despite their split, both continue working in different capacities. Javed Akhtar transitioned to writing lyrics and scripts for films, becoming one of the most celebrated lyricists in Hindi films. Salim Khan continued to write scripts and mentor young writers and filmmakers.
Solo Career
In 1983, Javed made his debut as a solo screenwriter with the movie “Betaab.” Though the duo, Salim-Javed, had a split in 1982, some of the scripts they had written earlier became a huge hit, such as “Zamana (1985).” One more film Mr. India was which was concieved much earlier to keep Amitabh Bachchan in mind. Javed Akhtar later developed it in its present for. “Mr. India (1987).” The film went on to become one of the most successful films of Indian cinema.
Javed Akhtar The Lyricist
Javed Akhtar started his career as a lyricist when Yash Chopra convinced him to write for Silsila (1981). The song “Dekha Ek Khwab” was his first song, which become a major hit. He also wrote classic songs like Neela Aasman So Gaya, and Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum. It was the start of his prolific career as songwriter. Over the years he established him as one of the most successful lyricists of all time.
Some of his notable films include Saath-Saath (1982), Mashaal (1984), Saagar (1985), Mr. India (1987), Tezaab (1988), Sailaab (1990), Gardish (1993), 1942: A Love Story (1994), Papa Kehte Hai (1996), Sardari Begum (1996), Border (1997), Virasat (1997), Yes Boss (1997), 1947 Earth (1999), Baadshah (1999), Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000), Refugee (2000), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Zubeidaa (2001), Lagaan (2001), Chalte Chalte (2003), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Main Hoon Na (2004), Veer-Zaara (2004), Lakshya (2004), Swades (2004), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Rock On!! (2008), Wake Up Sid (2009), My Name is Khan (2010), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Gully Boy (2019), Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) and many more.
Awards and Accolades
Javed Akhtar became numero uno of songwriters, winning the National Film Award for Best Lyricist five times. His national awards came for “Saaz (1996),” “Border (1997),” “Godmother (1998),” “Lagaan (2001),” and “Refugee (2000).”
He also won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist eight times: for “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha” from 1942: A Love Story, “Ghar Se Nikalte Hi” from Papa Kehte Hai, “Sandese Aate Hai” from Border, “Panchchi Nadiya Pawan Ke Jhonke” from Refugee, “Radha Kaise Naa Jale” from Lagaan, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” from Kal Ho Naa Ho, “Tere Liye” from Veer-Zaara, and “Jashn-E-Bahara” from Jodhaa Akbar.
He also won the Filmfare Best Dialogue award for Main Azaad Hoon (1989) and nominated for the Filmfare Best story award for Betaab (1982), Mashaal (1984), and Arjun (1985).
Personal Life
Akhtar married Honey Irani, a famous child actor and screenwriter, in 1972, with whom he had two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Farhan and Zoya both went into filmmaking and are known for films like Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Don, Rock On!!, Bhag Milkha Bhag, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, which was directed by Zoya. Zoya’s other films are Luck By Chance, Dil Dhadkne Do, and Gully Boy.
Akhtar and Honey separated in 1978; their divorce was finalised in 1985. Akhtar later married Shabana Azmi, the legendary actress and the daughter of renowned Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi.
Javed Akhtar on Rekhta
