Javed Akhtar

 ( Javed Akhtar ) 

Javed Akhtar (born 17 January 1945) is an Indian screenwriter, lyricist and poet. Known for his work in Hindi cinema, he has won five National Film Awards, and received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007, two of India's highest Civilian award. He is considered as one of the greatest screenwriters in the history of Hindi Cinema.

Akhtar came to recognition in the duo Salim–Javed, and earned his breakthrough as a screenwriter with 1973's Zanjeer. He went on to write the films Deewaar and Sholay, both released in 1975; they earned a cult following, and had a significant impact in popular culture. He later earned praise for his work as a lyricist, winning the National Film Award for Best Lyrics five times and the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist eight times.

Akhtar notably campaigned for the Communist Party of India (CPI) and their candidate in the 2019 Indian general election, and was a member of parliament in Rajya Sabha. For his work, he received the Richard Dawkins Award in 2020.

In 2024, Amazon Prime released a three-part documentary series about the Salim-Javed screenwriting duo, Angry Young Men.

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Early life Javed Akhtar was born in 1945 in Gwalior.

(2014). 9781135943189, Routledge. . ISBN 9781135943189

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.

Anupama Chopra (2025). 014029970X, Penguin Books India. 014029970X

He spent most of his childhood and was schooled in Lucknow. He graduated from Saifiya College in Bhopal.

(2025). 9788172234379, HarperCollins. . ISBN 9788172234379

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Career as scriptwriter 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 Salim Khan 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 Daao (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 Zamaana Deewana and Mr. India. Salim-Javed, many a time described as "the most successful scriptwriters of all-time",Sholay, through the eyes of Salim Khan, [1] , Rediff.com are also noted to be the first scriptwriters in Indian cinema to achieve star status.Ramesh Dawar (2003), Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema , Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd.

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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 Akhtar. Farhan Akhtar 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 Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar as atheists. However, he continues to identify as a "Cultural Muslims" because of his heritage associated with the Islamic culture.

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

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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. "Poets dominate Sahitya Akademi Awards 2013" . Sahitya Akademi. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013. In 2019, he was conferred with an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Letters) by the Jamia Hamdard. 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.

	"Khwabon Ke Parindey" from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
	"Senorita" from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
	"Phir Bhi Yeh Zindagi" from Dil Dhadakne Do

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Filmography

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As screenwriter

Written as "Salim-Javed"
	Ashok Kumar, Nanda, Deb Mukherjee
	Rajesh Khanna, Tanuja
	Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar
	Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Vijay Arora, Tariq Khan
	Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Pran
	Amitabh Bachchan, Parveen Babi, Pran
	Randhir Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, Ranjeet
	Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh
	Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri
	Jeetendra, Saira Banu, Danny Denzongpa
	Rajkumar, Aarathi
		A. V. Seshagiri Rao
	Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Rekha
	Dharmendra, Randhir Kapoor, Hema Malini
	Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini
	Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Pran
	Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee Gulzar, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh
	Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Zeenat Aman, Pran (actor), Amrish Puri
	Sunil Dutt, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee Gulzar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
	Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi
	Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee, Anil Kapoor
	Rajesh Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon, Ranjeeta Kaur
	Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Amrish Puri

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As Javed Akhtar

Written as "Javed Akhtar"
	Dilip Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, Amrita Singh
	Dilip Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman
	Rishi Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, Dimple Kapadia
	Sunny Deol, Dimple Kapadia
	Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Sheshadri
	Sunny Deol, Meenakshi Sheshadri
	Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi
	Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit
	Anil Kapoor, Sridevi
	Sanjay Kapoor, Tabu
	Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff
	Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan
	Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra

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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)
• (1994)
• Papa Kehte Hai (1996)
• Dastak (1996)
• Sardari Begum (1996)
• Diljale (1996)
• Minsara Kanavu (Partially Shot at Same time) (1997)
• Border (1997)
• Virasat (1997)
• ‘’Daud’’ (1997)
• Mrityudand (1997)
• Saaz (1997)
• Yes Boss (1997)
• (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)
• (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)
• (2003)
• Armaan (2003)
• Chalte Chalte (2003)
• Kuch Naa Kaho (2003)
• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
• LOC Kargil (2003)
• Tehzeeb (2003)
• Main Hoon Na (2004)
• Veer-Zaara (2004)
• Lakshya (2004)
• Charas (2004)
• Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (2004)
• Dobara (2004)
• Swades (2004)
• (2004)
• (2005)
• (2005)
• Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... (2005)
• Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
• (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)
• (2010)
• Prem Kaa Game (2010)
• (2011)
• Ekk Deewana Tha (2012)
• Talaash (2012)
• Vishwaroopam (2013)
• Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
• Rock On 2 (2016)
• Mohenjo Daro (2016)
• Raees (2017)
• 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)
• Lahore 1947 (2025)

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Bibliography

• Tarkash (1995)
• Lava (2012)

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Notes

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Further reading

• Anupama Chopra (2025). 014029970X, Penguin Books India. 014029970X
• Nasreen Munni (2025). 9780195664621, Oxford University Press. . ISBN 9780195664621
• Nasreen Munni (2025). 9780195687125, Oxford University Press. . ISBN 9780195687125

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External links

• Javed Akhtar Songs, Poetry, Biography
• Javed Akhtar at Kavita Kosh (Hindi)
• BBC's Noel Thompson interviews JavedAkhtar on 4 September 2006

Categories: Javed Akhtar, Indian Male Poets, Indian Former Sunni Muslims, Cultural Muslims, Critics Of Religions, Recipients Of The Padma Shri In Arts, Urdu-language Poets From India, Aligarh Muslim University Alumni, Recipients Of The Padma Bhushan In Literature & Education, Filmfare Awards Winners, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, Indian Atheists, Indian Lyricists, People From Aligarh, Writers From Bhopal, Writers From Gwalior, Writers From Lucknow, 1945 Births, Living People, Nominated Members Of The Rajya Sabha, Poets From Uttar Pradesh, 20th-century Indian Poets, 21st-century Indian Poets, Urdu-language Writers, 20th-century Indian Male Writers, 21st-century Indian Male Writers, Screenwriters From Uttar Pradesh, 20th-century Indian Dramatists And Playwrights, 21st-century Indian Dramatists And Playwrights, Best Lyrics National Film Award Winners, 20th-century Atheists, 21st-century Atheists, Writers From Mumbai, Recipients Of The Sahitya Akademi Award In Urdu, Male Actors In Urdu Cinema

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