No one can forget the era when Bollywood writers have changed the dynamic of the industry with iconic stories. Among those writers, Javed Akhtar is one of them and he’s been legendary with his pen.
Javed Akhtar had written some of the great movies and characters that still people admire such as Sholay, Zanjeer, etc.
No doubt along with fellow writers he has transformed Indian cinema with his writing and provided brilliant stories.
His life has been full of surprises and out of controversy mostly. He even visited Pakistan neighbor country on various literature occasions.
Let’s dig down into his interesting life and relive his early life.
Early Life:
He was born in Gwalior, India, on January 17, 1945, and is the son of renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Jan Nisar Akhtar. So, the writing is somehow inherited in his blood and that’s the reason for his outstanding stories.
Javed Akhtar completed his schooling from Colvin Taluqdars’ College in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. He then went on to complete his graduation from Saifiya College in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
After completing his graduation, Javed Akhtar moved to Mumbai (then called Bombay) to pursue a career in the film industry. He started his career as a scriptwriter in the late 1970s and went on to become one of the most successful scriptwriters and lyricists in the Hindi film industry.
Despite not having a formal education in filmmaking or literature, Javed Akhtar’s talent and hard work have earned him numerous accolades and awards. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important figures in the Indian film industry.
Married Life
Javed Akhtar was married to Honey Irani, an actress and screenwriter, from 1972 to 1985. The couple has two children together, a son named Farhan Akhtar and a daughter named Zoya Akhtar, both of whom have become successful filmmakers in their own right.
After his divorce from Honey Irani, Javed Akhtar married actress Shabana Azmi in 1984. The couple had known each other for many years and had worked together on several films. They don’t have any children together.
Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi are known for their social and political activism and are involved in various causes related to human rights, women’s empowerment, and education. They continue to be active in the film industry and are highly respected for their work and contributions.
Bollywood Career As A Writer
Javed Akhtar began his career as a scriptwriter in the late 1970s and went on to write scripts for many successful Hindi films, including Sholay, Deewar, Don, and Zanjeer. He also became a prolific lyricist and has written many memorable songs for Hindi films, including “Ek Do Teen” (Tezaab), “Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi” (Masoom), and “Sandese Aate Hain” (Border).
Javed Akhtar is a highly successful and accomplished figure in the Bollywood film industry. He began his career as a scriptwriter in the late 1970s and went on to become one of the most prominent scriptwriters and lyricists in Hindi cinema.
Javed Akhtar’s notable works as a scriptwriter include some of the most iconic Bollywood films of all time, such as Sholay, Deewar, Don, Trishul, and Zanjeer. His collaborations with filmmakers like Ramesh Sippy, Yash Chopra, and Prakash Mehra are particularly well-known.
Javed Akhtar has also written lyrics for numerous Bollywood songs, many of which have become hugely popular and iconic. Some of his famous works as a lyricist include “Ek Do Teen” from Tezaab, “Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi” from Masoom, “Sandese Aate Hain” from Border, and “Senorita” from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
Apart from his work in films, Javed Akhtar has also published several collections of poetry and is a well-known public speaker and social commentator. He has won numerous awards for his contributions to the film industry and to Indian literature, including multiple National Film Awards and the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, those are among India’s highest civilian awards.
Last year in 2022 Javed Akhtar shares his stance on Karnataka Incident
Awards & Achievements
When it comes to awards and achievements Javed Akhtar earned everything. Seriously, he has won various awards in his entire career and some prestigious ones as well.
- Javed Akhtar has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to the film industry and literature in India. Some of his notable awards and achievements include:
- National Film Awards: Javed Akhtar has won multiple National Film Awards for Best Lyricist and Best Screenplay, including for films like Saagar, Lagaan, and Rock On!!
- Filmfare Awards: He has won 11 Filmfare Awards in various categories, including Best Dialogue, Best Screenplay, and Best Lyricist.
- Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan: Javed Akhtar has been honored with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, which are among the highest civilian honors in India, for his contributions to literature and the arts.
- Sahitya Akademi Award: He has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, one of the highest literary honors in India, for his collection of Urdu poetry called “Lava”.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Javed Akhtar has received lifetime achievement awards from several organizations, including the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association, the Zee Cine Awards, and the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image.
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