Javed Akhtar

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Javed AkhtarTemplate:Efn (born 17 January 1945) is an Indian screenwriter, lyricist, poet, and political activist. Renowned for his extensive work in Hindi cinema, he has won five National Film Awards and sixteen Filmfare Awards.[1] He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007,[2] two of India's highest civilian honours. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest screenwriters and lyricists in the history of Indian cinema.

Akhtar first gained prominence as one half of the screenwriting duo Salim–Javed, alongside Salim Khan. The pair achieved their breakthrough with Zanjeer (1973) and went on to pen several landmark films, including Deewaar (1975) and Sholay (1975). These works achieved cult status and had a lasting influence on Indian popular culture, particularly through their portrayal of the "angry young man" archetype. Following the duo’s split in the early 1980s, Akhtar transitioned into lyric writing, earning acclaim for his poetic and socially conscious lyrics.

In addition to his film career, Akhtar has been an outspoken public intellectual and activist, known for his advocacy of secularism, freedom of expression, and gender equality. He has written and spoken extensively on issues of religion, human rights, and rationalism. Akhtar served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2010 to 2016, representing the arts.[3] He also publicly supported the Communist Party of India (CPI) during the 2019 Indian general election. For his contributions to literature, film, and free thought, he became the first Indian to receive the Richard Dawkins Award in 2020.[4][5][6]

In 2024, Amazon Prime Video released a three-part documentary series titled Angry Young Men, focusing on the partnership between Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. The documentary explores their creative process, personal relationship, and the enduring impact of their films on Indian cinema.[7]

In December 2025, Akhtar participated in a public philosophical debate titled Does God Exist? at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, where he discussed questions of faith, morality, and human suffering with Islamic scholar Shamail Nadwi. Approaching the issue from an atheist perspective, Akhtar questioned the idea of divine justice, particularly in the context of civilian suffering in conflict zones. The debate attracted wide media coverage and public discussion in India and abroad.[8][9][10]

Early life

File:Javed Akhtar.jpg
Javed Akhtar in Dec 2014

Javed Akhtar was born in 1945 in Gwalior.[11] His father Jan Nisar Akhtar was a songwriter in Hindi films and an Urdu poet.[12] 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 against the western colonies.[13] 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 close to the word jadoo.[14] He spent most of his childhood and was schooled in Lucknow. He graduated from Saifiya College in Bhopal.[15]

Career as scriptwriter

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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.[16] Javed Akhtar stated in an interview that one day, he went to 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."[17]

Their first big success was the script for Andaz (1971), followed by Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) and Seeta Aur Geeta (1972). They also had hits with Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Zanjeer (1973), Haath Ki Safai (1974), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Chacha Bhatija (1977), Don (1978), Trishul (1978), Dostana (1980), Kranti (1981), Zamana (1985) and 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 Adhikar (1971), Aakhri Dao (1975), Immaan Dharam (1977) and 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 Zamana and Mr. India. Salim-Javed, many a time described as "the most successful scriptwriters of all-time",[18] are also noted to be the first scriptwriters in Indian cinema to achieve star status.[19]

Personal life

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“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".[20]

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Akhtar was nominated to the Parliament upper house Rajya Sabha on 16 November 2009.[21] Akhtar was married to Honey Irani, with whom he had two children, Farhan Akhtar, a film actor, producer, director[22] and Zoya Akhtar, a film writer, director and producer.[23] The father-and-son duo have worked together in films such as Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Rock On!! and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with Zoya. Farhan was married to Adhuna Akhtar, a hair stylist.[24]

Despite having an Islamic upbringing, Akhtar declared himself to be an "equal opportunity atheist" who is against all faiths,[25][26] and also brought up his children Farhan and Zoya Akhtar as atheists.[27] However, he continues to identify as a "cultural Muslim" because of his heritage associated with the Islamic civilization.[28][29]

Akhtar married Shabana Azmi, the daughter of Urdu poet, Kaifi Azmi and later divorced Irani.[30] 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.[31]

Awards and nominations

File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Bhushan to Shri Javed Akhtar, at an Investiture-II Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 05, 2007.jpg
Akhtar receiving Padma Bhushan by the then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2007.

Javed was awarded the civilian honour of Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2007.[2] In 2013, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, India's second highest literary honour, for his poetry collection Lava.[32] In 2019, he was conferred with an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Letters) by the Jamia Hamdard University.[33] 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".[34][5] Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Award - 2025 Legend Award for him contribution to Indian music.[35]

National Film Awards

Year Category Outcome Work Notes
1996 Best Lyrics Won Saaz
1997 Won Border
1998 Won Godmother
2000 Won Refugee
2001 Won Lagaan

Filmfare Awards

Year Category Outcome Work Notes
1974 Best Screenplay Won Zanjeer As "Salim-Javed"

[1]

1974 Best Story Won Zanjeer
1976 Won Deewar
1976 Best Dialogue Won Deewar
1976 Best Screenplay Won Deewar
1983 Won Shakti
1984 Best Story Nominated Betaab
1985 Nominated Mashaal
1986 Nominated Arjun
1989 Best Lyricist Nominated "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab
1990 Best Dialogue Won Main Azaad Hoon [1]
1995 Best Lyricist Won "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" from 1942: A Love Story
1997 Won "Ghar Se Nikalte" from Papa Kehte Hai
1998 Won "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border
1998 Nominated "Chand Taare" from Yes Boss
1999 Nominated "Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam" from Duplicate
2001 Won "Panchchi Nadiyaan" from Refugee [1]
2002 Won "Mitwa" from Lagaan
2002 Nominated "Radha Kaise Na Jale" from Lagaan
2004 Won "Kal Ho Na Hoo" from Kal Ho Naa Ho [1]
2005 Won "Tere Liye" from Veer-Zaara
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoured —
2009 Best Lyricist Won "Jashn-E-Bahaara" from Jodhaa Akbar

Mirchi Music Awards

Year Category Outcome Work Notes
2011 Album of The Year Nominated Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara [36][37]
Lyricist of The Year Won "Khwabon Ke Parindey" from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Nominated "Senorita" from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
2012 Won "Jee Le Zara" from Talaash [38]
2014 Lifetime Achievement Award Won - [39]
2015 Album of The Year Nominated Dil Dhadakne Do [40]
Lyricist of The Year Nominated "Phir Bhi Yeh Zindagi" from Dil Dhadakne Do

Filmography

Work as part of Salim-Javed Partnership (1971-1982)

Year Film Language Director Cast Notes
1971 Andaz Hindi[41] Ramesh Sippy Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Shammi Kapoor, Simi Garewal Written as "Salim-Javed"





Although the Salim–Javed partnership ended in 1982, two of their screenplays that had been completed earlier - Zamana and Mr. India, were released after their split.

Adhikar Hindi S.M. Sagar Ashok Kumar, Nanda, Deb Mukherjee
Haathi Mere Saathi M. A. Thirumugham Rajesh Khanna, Tanuja
1972 Seeta Aur Geeta Ramesh Sippy Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar
1973 Yaadon Ki Baaraat Nasir Hussain Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Vijay Arora, Tariq Khan
Zanjeer Prakash Mehra Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Pran
1974 Majboor Ravi Tandon Amitabh Bachchan, Parveen Babi, Pran
Haath Ki Safai Prakash Mehra Randhir Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, Ranjeet
1975 Deewaar Yash Chopra Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh
Sholay Ramesh Sippy Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri
Aakhri Dao A. Salaam Jeetendra, Saira Banu, Danny Denzongpa
1976 Premada Kanike Kannada V. Somashekhar Rajkumar, Aarathi
Raja Nanna Raja A. V. Seshagiri Rao
1977 Immaan Dharam Hindi Desh Mukherjee Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Rekha
Chacha Bhatija Manmohan Desai Dharmendra, Randhir Kapoor, Hema Malini
1978 Trishul Yash Chopra Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini
Don Chandra Barot Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Pran
1979 Kaala Patthar Yash Chopra Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee Gulzar, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh
1980 Dostana Raj Khosla Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Zeenat Aman, Pran (actor), Amrish Puri
Shaan Ramesh Sippy Sunil Dutt, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee Gulzar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
1981 Kranti Manoj Kumar Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi
1982 Shakti Ramesh Sippy Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee, Anil Kapoor
1985 Zamana Ramesh Talwar Rajesh Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon, Ranjeeta Kaur
1987 Mr. India Shekhar Kapur Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Amrish Puri

Solo Work

Year Film Language Director Cast Notes
1983 Betaab Hindi Rahul Rawail Sunny Deol, Amrita Singh Written as "Javed Akhtar"
1984 Duniya Ramesh Talwar Dilip Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, Amrita Singh
Mashaal Hindi Yash Chopra Dilip Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman
1985 Saagar Ramesh Sippy Rishi Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, Dimple Kapadia
Arjun Rahul Rawail Sunny Deol, Dimple Kapadia
Meri Jung Subhash Ghai Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Sheshadri
1987 Dacait Rahul Rawail Sunny Deol, Meenakshi Sheshadri
1989 Main Azaad Hoon Tinnu Anand Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi
1992 Khel Rakesh Roshan Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit
1993 Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja Satish Kaushik Anil Kapoor, Sridevi
1995 Prem Hindi Sanjay Kapoor, Tabu
1998 Kabhi Na Kabhi Priyadarshan Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff
2004 Lakshya Farhan Akhtar Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan
2006 Don: The Chase Begins Again Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra

Work as Lyricist

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Work as a dialogue writer only

Bibliography

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Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ a b c d e All Filmfare Awards Winners. https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners
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  18. ↑ Sholay, through the eyes of Salim Khan, [1] Template:Webarchive, Rediff.com
  19. ↑ Ramesh Dawar (2003), Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema Template:Webarchive, Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd.
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  32. ↑ "Poets dominate Sahitya Akademi Awards 2013" Template:Webarchive. Sahitya Akademi. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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Further reading

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External links

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Template:Salim-Javed Template:Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art Template:National Film Award Best Lyrics Template:FilmfareAwardBestLyricist Template:FilmfareAwardBestDialogue Template:FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAward Template:PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09 Template:Authority control

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