Renowned for his profound contributions to Indian cinema, the eminent poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar celebrates his birthday this 2024. Amidst fanfare and social media tributes to his creative genius, we delve deeper to uncover captivating facets of Javed Akhtar’s life—the man who has, in many ways, been the backbone of Bollywood’s storytelling prowess.
Happy Birthday, Javed Akhtar! (Pic Courtesy/IMDB)
While it’s commonly believed that directors are the creative visionaries of cinema, the real architects of filmic narratives are the scriptwriters. They are the unsung heroes who conjure cinematic worlds, fleshing out characters that resonate with audiences and become cultural icons. Javed Akhtar, a tour de force of the Indian film industry, embodies this role. With an illustrious career that spans decades, his name has become synonymous with the golden era of Bollywood, and his partnership with Salim Khan has etched an indelible mark on the annals of Indian cinema.
On this special occasion of Javed Akhtar’s birthday in 2024, it is befitting to peel back the curtain and share five engaging details about this legendary figure.
1) The roots of Akhtar’s literary flair run deep in his lineage. Born on January 17, 1945, in Gwalior, India, he was the progeny of Nisar Akhtar, an acclaimed Urdu poet, and Safia Akhtar, a respected Urdu teacher and writer. Further up the family tree, his grandfather, Muzhtar Khairabadi, too, was renowned for his poetic prowess.
2) During his formative years, Javed was affectionately nicknamed “Jadoo” by his father, a moniker stemming from a line in Nisar Akhtar’s poem, ‘Lamha lamha kisi jadu ka fasana hoga.’ This nickname was prophetic, predicting the enchanting tales he would spin in the future. After completing his studies at Saifiya College in Bhopal, Javed set out for Mumbai, driven by dreams of cinema and a conviction in his storytelling abilities.
3) The legendary screenwriting duo of Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, often referred to as Salim-Javed, redefined Bollywood with a series of blockbusters, including a number of Amitabh Bachchan’s career-defining films. The duo’s oeuvre includes unparalleled classics such as ‘Sholay,’ ‘Zanjeer,’ ‘Deewar,’ ‘Trishul,’ ‘Kaala Patthar,’ ‘Seeta Aur Geeta,’ and ‘Mr. India,’ to name a few. Their collaboration not only reinvigorated Indian cinema but also paved the way for robust, character-driven storytelling.
4) Javed Akhtar’s contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous accolades, including India’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 1999. Additionally, his shelf boasts five National Film Awards, celebrating his mastery in both the realms of lyricism and screenplay writing.
5) On a personal note, Akhtar’s first marriage was to Honey Irani, with whom he has two gifted children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, both of whom have carved out their niches in the film industry as a multi-talented actor-director-producer and a celebrated director-producer, respectively. Currently, Javed Akhtar shares his life with the talented actress and social activist Shabana Azmi, forming a power couple that champions both cinematic and societal causes.
These insights into Javed Akhtar’s life reveal the rich tapestry of experiences and influences that have shaped his extraordinary career. His unparalleled contributions have not only earned commercial success but have also left an indelible impact on the art of storytelling within the Indian film industry. Through his words, audiences have laughed, cried, and found solace, making him a true maestro of the written word.
As we commemorate his birthday, it’s not just a celebration of his past achievements but also a nod to the enduring legacy of Javed Akhtar—one that will inspire and entertain generations to come. Happy Birthday, Javed Akhtar ji! Your story is far from over, and your verses continue to echo in the heart of Bollywood.
