Javed Akhtar is one of India’s most influential screenwriters, lyricists and poets. He rose to fame in the 1970s through his partnership with Salim Khan, forming the iconic writer duo Salim-Javed.
Together, they wrote several blockbusters, including Sholay, Deewaar and Zanjeer, which are considered milestones in Indian cinema.
Akhtar then turned to writing lyrics for Bollywood films, with Silsila, 1942: A Love Story and Lagaan bringing him critical acclaim.
File
- Full name: Javed Akhtar
- Date of birth: January 17, 1945
- Age: 79 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Screenwriter, Lyricist, Poet
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches (1.65 meters)
- Parents: Jan Nisar Akhtar (Father), Safia Akhtar (Mother)
- Siblings: Salman Akhtar (Brother), Shahid Akhtar (Brother), Uneza Akhtar (Sister), Albina (Sister)
- Spouse: Shabana Azmi (married since 1984), Honey Irani (divorced)
- Children: Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Raised Muslim, now atheist
- Ethnicity: South Asian
- Net worth: 20 million USD
Early life and education
Javed Akhtar was born on January 17, 1945 in Gwalior, India. His father, Jan Nisar Akhtar, was a famous poet, and his mother, Safia Akhtar, was a singer and writer.
Akhtar grew up surrounded by intellectual and artistic influences, along with his uncle, Asrar-ul-Haq Majaz, a famous Urdu poet, and his grandfather, Muztar Khairabadi, a prominent figure in literary world.
As of 2024, Javed Akhtar is currently 79 years old. He pursued his education at Saifiya College in Bhopal, where he graduated with a degree in arts.
The influence of poetry marked his early life, and he eventually moved to Mumbai in 1964 to pursue a career in Bollywood.
Personal life
Javed Akhtar was first married to Honey Irani, a screenwriter and actress. He has two children: Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, both of whom are successful filmmakers in their own right.
Farhan, known for directing Dil Chahta Hai and acting in Rock On!!, has a close relationship with his father, as does Zoya, whose films include Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Gully Boy .
Akhtar and Honey Irani divorced, and in 1984 he married Shabana Azmi, a famous actress and daughter of Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi.
Their marriage is a long-standing one in Bollywood, marked by mutual respect for work and activism.
Although raised in a Muslim family, Akhtar identifies as an atheist and has raised his children the same way.
Career
Javed Akhtar’s career began with his collaboration with Salim Khan, and together they became the most successful screenwriting duo in Bollywood.
Their scripts for films such as Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay and Don set the standard for Hindi cinema in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Their work redefined the “angry young man” archetype, most famously portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan.
After breaking up with Salim Khan in 1982, Akhtar established himself as a solo screenwriter and lyricist.
He made his mark in Bollywood with his poetic lyrics in films such as Silsila (1981), 1942: A Love Story (1994), Lagaan (2001), and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003).
His contribution to Indian music won him many awards, and his literary career also flourished with the publication of anthologies of his Urdu poetry.
Akhtar’s positivity and outspoken nature also made him an important voice in Indian socio-political discourse.
He was a staunch advocate of secularism and free speech, often speaking out against religious fundamentalism.
Prize
- National Film Award for Best Lyrics (Saaz, 1996; Border, 1997; Godmother, 1998; Refugee, 2000; Lagaan, 2001)
- Sahitya Akademi Award for poetry collection Lava (2013)
- Richard Dawkins Award for his work on secularism and human rights (2020)
- Filmfare Awards (Many, including Ek Ladki Ko Dekha from 1942: A Love Story and Kal Ho Naa Ho)
Net worth
Javed Akhtar’s net worth is around $20 million.
His wealth mainly comes from his extensive work in Bollywood as a screenwriter, lyricist and royalties from many hit films in which he has contributed.
Argumentative
One of Javed’s most bitter disputes arose in 2021 when he filed a defamation suit against actress Kangana Ranaut.
Akhtar accused her of making defamatory statements in an interview linking him to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
The case escalated in 2024 when Akhtar sought a non-bailable order against Ranaut for her continuous absence from court following a heated legal battle involving actress Hrithik Roshan.
Akhtar reportedly asked Ranaut to apologize to Roshan during a meeting at his residence in 2016, which became the genesis of the defamation case.
Additionally, Akhtar often makes headlines for his vocal stance on socio-political issues. In 2018, he was criticized for comparing the opposition to the film Padmaavat with “Taliban-like” behavior.
He and his wife, Shabana Azmi, are vocal critics of religious extremism and political censorship, often leading to backlash from various political and cultural groups.
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: @Javedakhtarjadu
Cinema
- Sholay (1975)
- Deewaar (1975)
- Zanjeer (1973)
- Don (1978)
- Mr. India (1987)
- Sagar (1985)
- Betaab (1983)
Records
- Silsila (1981)
- 1942: Love Story (1994)
- Lagaan (2001)
- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
- Veer-Zaara (2004)
Book
- Tarkash (1995)
- Lava (2013)
