Javed Akhtar

Early life

Javed Akhtar was born in 1945 in Gwalior. His father Jan Nisar Akhtar was a songwriter in Hindi films and an Urdu poet. 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. 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. He spent most of his childhood and was schooled in Lucknow. He graduated from Saifiya College in Bhopal.

Career as scriptwriter

Main article: Salim-Javed

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. 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."

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", are also noted to be the first scriptwriters in Indian cinema to achieve star status.

Personal life

Akhtar was nominated to the Parliament upper house Rajya Sabha on 16 November 2009. Akhtar was married to Honey Irani, with whom he had two children, Farhan Akhtar, a film actor, producer, director and Zoya Akhtar, a film writer, director and producer. 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.

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

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

Awards and nominations

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

National Film Awards

Filmfare Awards

Mirchi Music Awards

Filmography

Work as part of [[Salim–Javed|Salim-Javed]] Partnership (1971-1982)

Solo Work

Work as Lyricist

• Silsila (1981)
• Saath-Saath (1982)
• Duniya (1984)
• Mashaal (1984)
• Saagar (1985)
• Arjun (1985)
• Mr. India (1987)
• Tezaab (1988)
• Jaadugar (1989)
• Joshilaay (1989)
• Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe (1989)
• Sailaab (1990)
• Jamai Raja (1990)
• Hafta Bandh (1991)
• Narsimha (1991)
• Khel (1992)
• Drohi (1992)
• Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993)
• Yugandhar (1993)
• Gardish (1993)
• 1942: A Love Story (1994)
• Papa Kehte Hai (1996)
• Dastak (1996)
• Sardari Begum (1996)
• Diljale (1996)
• Sapnay (Partially Shot at Same time) (1997)
• Border (1997)
• Virasat (1997)
• ‘’Daud’’ (1997)
• Mrityudand (1997)
• Saaz (1997)
• Yes Boss (1997)
• Darmiyaan: In Between (1997)
• Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)
• Jeans (1997)
• Wajood (1998)
• Kabhi Na Kabhi (1998)
• Bada Din (1998)
• Duplicate (1998)
• 1947 Earth (1999)
• Godmother (1999)
• Baadshah (1999)
• Arjun Pandit (1999)
• Laawaris (1999)
• Dillagi (1999)
• Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000)
• Refugee (2000)
• Karobaar (2000)
• Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000)
• Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya (2000)
• Champion (2000)
• Gang (2000)
• Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
• Zubeidaa (2001)
• Lagaan (2001)
• Abhay (2001)
• Moksha (2001)
• Pyar Ki Dhun (2002)
• Agni Varsha (2002)
• Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002)
• Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002)
• Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? (2002)
• Satta (2003)
• Love at Times Square (2003)
• The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003)
• Armaan (2003)
• Chalte Chalte (2003)
• Kuch Naa Kaho (2003)
• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
• L.O.C. Kargil (2003)
• Tehzeeb (2003)
• Main Hoon Na (2004)
• Veer-Zaara (2004)
• Lakshya (2004)
• Charas (2004)
• Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (2004)
• Dobara (2004)
• Swades (2004)
• Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004)
• Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005)
• Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
• Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... (2005)
• Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
• Don (2006)
• Traffic Signal (2007)
• Namastey London (2007)
• Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007)
• Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007)
• Welcome (2007)
• Om Shanti Om (2007)
• Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
• Rock On!! (2008)
• Luck by Chance (2009)
• What's Your Raashee? (2009)
• Wake Up Sid (2009)
• My Name is Khan (2010)
• Karthik Calling Karthik (2010)
• Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (2010)
• Aisha (2010)
• Red Alert: The War Within (2010)
• Prem Kaa Game (2010)
• Don 2: The King is Back (2011)
• Ekk Deewana Tha (2012)
• Talaash (2012)
• Vishwaroop (2013)
• Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
• Rock On 2 (2016)
• Mohenjo Daro (2016)
• Raees (2017)
• Poster Boys (2017) — Segment: Kudiyan Shehar Diyan
• Gold (2018)
• Paltan (2018)
• Namastey England (2018)
• Gully Boy (2019)
• Panipat (2019)
• Panga (2020)
• Toofaan (2021)
• The Archies (2023)
• Dunki (2023)
• Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023)
• Yudhra (2024)
• Border 2 (2026) — Lyrics reused from Border (1997)
• Lahore 1947 (2026)

Work as a dialogue writer only

• Yakeen (1969)

Bibliography

• Tarkash (1995)
• Lava (2012)

Notes

References

References

1. (2015). "Padma Awards". Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
2. "Javed Akhtar, Aiyar among 5 nominated to RS".
3. (7 June 2020). "Javed Akhtar Becomes Only Indian to Win Richard Dawkins Award".
4. (9 June 2020). "Writer, Poet, Lyricist, and Atheist Activist Javed Akhtar Wins Richard Dawkins Award | Center for Inquiry".
5. (2020). "Richard Dawkins award goes to writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar". [[Skeptical Inquirer]].
6. Ramachandran, Naman. (16 August 2024). "'Angry Young Men': Inside Prime Video's Documentary Series on Bollywood Screenwriting Legends Salim-Javed (EXCLUSIVE)".
7. (21 December 2025). "In debate on existence of God, Javed Akhtar's 'PM Modi is better' retort". [[India Today]].
8. (21 December 2025). "In Capital, a debate on God spotlights importance of conversation, disagreements". [[The Indian Express]].
9. (21 December 2025). "خدا کے وجود پر مباحثہ اور غزہ میں بچوں کی اموات پر سوال: وہ مناظرہ جس کے بعد جاوید اختر کو تنقید کا سامنا کرنا پڑا". [[BBC Urdu]].
10. (10 July 2014). "Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema". Routledge.
11. (16 June 2014). "On Father's Day, Javed Akhtar recalls the man who taught him poetry". The Hindu.
12. (2020-01-16). "Happy Birthday Javed Akhtar: 10 best quotes from the legendary lyricist and writer".
13. Chopra, Anupama. (2000). "[[Sholay: The Making of a Classic]]". Penguin Books India.
14. (2001). "Quiver: Poems and Ghazals". HarperCollins.
15. (19 July 2012). "More facts about Rajesh Khanna". [[The Times of India]].
16. Hungama, Bollywood. "The Magic of Haathi Mere Saathi - Latest Movie Features - Bollywood Hungama".
17. Sholay, through the eyes of Salim Khan, ''[http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-salim-khan/20120228.htm] {{Webarchive. link. (6 April 2019'', Rediff.com)
18. link. (11 January 2023 '', Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd.)
19. (2021). "Atheism is the religion for these filmi folk". [[Times of India]].
20. (17 November 2009). "Javed Akhtar, Dua nominated to Rajya Sabha – India – DNA". Dnaindia.com.
21. "Farhan Akhtar".
22. "Zoya Akhtar".
23. "Transcript of the Javed Akhtar Chat". rediff.com.
24. (15 July 2012). "Eye on England". Telegraphindia.com.
25. (2020-06-13). "Javed Akhtar calls himself 'equal opportunity atheist who is against all faiths' after offending both sides".
26. "10 Self-Proclaimed Celebrity Atheists | Entertainment | iDiva.com | Page 4". iDiva.com.
27. Gupta, Saurav. (18 March 2024). "'Can't Change My Religion As…', Javed Akhtar's Big Revelation".
28. Ramaseshan, Radhika. (7 July 2019). "Minority Report".
29. (14 June 2012). "Honey Irani on Divorce, Survival & Shabana Azmi". iDiva.com.
30. (2015-08-17). "Urdu author Hamida Salim passes away". The Hindu.
31. [http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/pdf/award2013-e.pdf "Poets dominate Sahitya Akademi Awards 2013"] {{Webarchive. link. (19 December 2013 . [[Sahitya Akademi]]. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.)
32. (2019-03-04). "Javed Akhtar Conferred With Honorary Doctorate by Jamia Hamdard University".
33. . ["Javed Akhtar Wins Richard Dawkins Award"](https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/javed-akhtar-wins-richard-dawkins-award-550966). *[[NDTV]]*.
34. (2025-03-28). "सूर ज्योत्स्ना राष्ट्रीय संगीत पुरस्कारांचे वितरण आज; जावेद अख्तर, नितीन मुकेश यांचा सन्मान".
35. All Filmfare Awards Winners. https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners
36. (30 January 2013). "Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011".
37. "Mirchi Plus USA - Live Indian Radio | Listen Hindi Songs, Videos, Podcasts, Mirchi Murga".
38. "Winners - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2012".
39. "Winners - Mirchi Music Awards 2014".
40. "MMA Mirchi Music Awards".
41. (2002). "Talking Films: Conversations on Hindi Cinema with Javed Akhtar". [[Oxford University Press]].
42. Akhtar, Javed. (8 January 2015). "Nine poems by the 'other' Javed Akhtar".
43. IANS. (2013-12-19). "Javed Akhtar among Sahitya Akademi Award winners for 2013". Business Standard India.