Javed Akhtar

Biography

Career & Achievements

Javed Akhtar is an acclaimed wordsmith and a lyrical maestro known for his unparalleled contribution to the world of poetry, lyrics and screenplay writing in the Indian Film Industry and Urdu literature. His journey from a screenwriter to a celebrated lyricist and poet has made him a towering figure in Indian cinema and literature. Known for its depth, thoughtfulness, and poetic finesse, Javed Saheb continues to inspire new generations of writers, filmmakers, and lyricists. His deep love for literature, his commitment to social justice and his contributions to Indian cinema, music, and poetry have left a lasting imprint on the country’s cultural landscape. In the 70s Javed Akhtar formed a winning partnership with Salim Khan forming the duo Salim–Javed, earning him his breakthrough as a screenwriter with Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Trishul (1978), and Don (1978). The duo is credited with revolutionizing the image of heroes and antiheroes and are credited to give the Indian Cinema the memorable persona of the ‘Angry Young Man’ in some of the most iconic films marking the golden era in Bollywood screenwriting. In the times when the writers were not given credits for screenplay, story and dialogue Salim Javed made it mandatory to have their names on the posters of the films since they became the backbone of the films being sold on their names. Childhood & Education Akhtar lost his mother at an early age and his father re-married. He and his brother were then sent to his paternal Grandparents in Lucknow. At the age of 6, he was admitted to Lucknow Calvin Talunkadar College, which was once an institution for the aristocrats, being an expensive school with a monthly fee of Rs 17. He would watch his rich classmates who would wear expensive watches, and carry fountain pens. The years passed till he reached his matriculation when his grandfather told him to pass the exam so that he could at least get a job of stamping letters at the post office. At that age when boys dream of becoming engine drivers, Javed dreamt of becoming rich, when he grew up. He had watched Dilip Kumar's ‘Uran Khatola’ and Raj Kapoor's ‘Shree 420’. He knew a lot of songs and sang them aloud when he returned from school, although listening to film songs was prohibited at home. Having spent most of his childhood in Lucknow, he went to do his graduation from Saifiya College in Bhopal.

Awards (2)

• Star Screen Awards— Lifetime Achievement Award
• Filmfare Awards— Lifetime Achievement Award