On August 16, 2025, we celebrate the incredible journey of Javed Akhtar, a man whose words have touched millions of hearts. He is a famous Indian poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and social voice. His life is a story of struggle, talent, and success. Born in a small town, he rose to become a legend in Indian cinema and literature. This article tells his unique story in simple words. It covers his early life, career, achievements, and impact on India. Let’s dive into the life of this great man.
Early Life And Family
Javed Akhtar was born on January 17, 1945, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. His full name is Javed Akhtar Hussain. His father, Jan Nisar Akhtar, was a famous poet and lyricist. His mother, Safia Akhtar, was a writer and teacher. Javed grew up in a family that loved words and art. But life was not easy for him. His family faced money problems. Young Javed saw many hardships. Yet, he found joy in reading and writing. Books became his best friends. He loved stories and poems from a young age. This love shaped his future.
Javed spent his childhood in Lucknow and Bhopal. He went to good schools but often felt lonely. His parents’ busy lives meant he had to be strong. He learned to dream big despite challenges. At 18, he moved to Mumbai to chase his dreams. Mumbai was the city of films. Javed wanted to be part of it. But the city was tough. He had little money and no home. Sometimes, he slept under trees or in studios. These struggles made him stronger. They taught him to never give up.
Javed Akhtar Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Religion, Wife, Son, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Javed Akhtar Hussain |
| Date of Birth | January 17, 1945 |
| Place of Birth | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Parents | Father: Jan Nisar Akhtar (poet and lyricist) Mother: Safia Akhtar (writer and teacher) |
| Early Life | Grew up in Lucknow and Bhopal. Faced financial struggles. Loved reading books and poetry. Inspired by Urdu poets like Ghalib and Faiz. |
| Education | Studied in good schools in Lucknow and Bhopal. Moved to Mumbai at 18 to chase dreams. |
| Early Struggles | Arrived in Mumbai in the 1960s with little money. Worked small jobs in film studios. Sometimes slept under trees or in studios. |
| Career Start | Began as a dialogue writer. Met Salim Khan and formed the writing duo “Salim-Javed.” |
| Salim-Javed Era | Wrote hit films like Zanjeer (1973), Sholay (1975), and Deewaar (1975). Created the “Angry Young Man” character. Changed Bollywood storytelling. Wrote 24 films, most hits. Split in the 1980s. |
| Lyricist Career | Started writing songs after the split. First major film: Silsila (1981). Big success with 1942: A Love Story (1994). Wrote for Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Lagaan (2001), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). Known for simple, emotional lyrics. |
| Poetry | Writes Urdu poetry. Published books like Tarkash. Performs at mushairas. Poems focus on love, society, and human emotions using simple words with deep meanings. |
| Personal Life | First marriage: Honey Irani (screenwriter/actress). Children: Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar (filmmakers). Divorced Honey. Second marriage: Shabana Azmi (actress). Loves family time. |
| Social Work | Advocates equality, justice, secularism. Supports education and women’s rights. Fights poverty and discrimination. Active in social organizations. |
| Awards and Honors | 5 National Film Awards for lyrics. Multiple Filmfare Awards for scripts and songs. Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2013). Elected to Rajya Sabha (2013). |
| Major Films (Writer) | Zanjeer (1973), Sholay (1975), Deewaar (1975), Don (1978), Trishul (1978) |
| Major Songs | “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha” (1942: A Love Story), “Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum” (Silsila), “Panchhi, Nadiya, Pawan Ke Jhonke” (Refugee) |
| Political Role | Served in Rajya Sabha (2013). Spoke for artists and social issues. |
| Legacy | Inspired generations of writers and poets. Known for powerful dialogues, soulful lyrics, and deep poetry. Symbol of hope and talent. His work is loved worldwide. |
| Current Status (2025) | At 80, active in writing and speaking. Continues to inspire with poetry and social work. Lives in Mumbai with Shabana Azmi. |
Early Days
When Javed arrived in Mumbai in the 1960s, he had big dreams but no clear path. He worked small jobs to survive. He helped in film studios and wrote small dialogues. Life was hard. He often went hungry. But his passion for writing kept him going. He met other young dreamers in Mumbai. One of them was Salim Khan, another writer. They became friends. This friendship changed Javed’s life forever.
Javed and Salim started working together. They called themselves “Salim-Javed.” They wrote stories and dialogues for films. At that time, Bollywood was growing. But scripts were often weak. Salim-Javed brought new ideas. They wrote strong stories with bold characters. Their work was fresh and exciting. People loved their style. They became a famous writing duo. Their partnership gave Bollywood some of its biggest hits.
Rise to Fame
In the 1970s, Salim-Javed became superstars in Bollywood. They wrote films like *Zanjeer* (1973), *Sholay* (1975), and *Deewaar* (1975). These films were huge hits. *Zanjeer* introduced the “Angry Young Man” character. This character, often played by Amitabh Bachchan, was a hero for the common man. He fought against injustice. People loved this new kind of hero. *Sholay* became a legend. Its dialogues are still famous today. Lines like “Yeh haath humko de de Thakur” are part of Indian culture. *Deewaar* showed the struggle between good and evil. It had powerful emotions. Javed’s words made these films unforgettable.
Salim-Javed wrote 24 films together. Most of them were hits. They changed how stories were told in Bollywood. They gave importance to writers. Before them, writers were not respected much. Javed and Salim demanded credit for their work. They became role models for young writers. But in the 1980s, the duo split. Javed was sad but ready to work alone. He wanted to prove himself as a solo writer.
Lyricist And Poet
After the split, Javed Akhtar started writing songs. He became a lyricist. His first major film as a lyricist was *Silsila* (1981). But his real success came with *1942: A Love Story* (1994). Songs like “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha” became super hits. Javed’s lyrics were simple yet deep. They spoke of love, pain, and dreams. People could feel his words. He wrote for films like *Dil Chahta Hai* (2001), *Lagaan* (2001), and *Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara* (2011). Each song was a story. His words painted pictures in people’s minds.
Javed is also a great poet. He writes in Urdu, a beautiful language. His poems talk about life, love, and society. He performs at poetry events called mushairas. His voice is strong and clear. People listen to him with awe. His poetry is simple but powerful. It makes people think and feel. Javed’s poems are published in books like *Tarkash*. These poems show his deep thoughts about the world.
Personal Life And Family
Javed Akhtar’s personal life has been eventful. He married Honey Irani, a screenwriter and actress, in the 1970s. They have two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Both are famous filmmakers today. Farhan is also an actor and singer. Javed is proud of his children. But his marriage with Honey ended in divorce. Later, he married Shabana Azmi, a famous actress. Shabana and Javed share a strong bond. They support each other’s work. They also work together for social causes. Their love story is admired by many.
Javed is a family man. He loves spending time with his children and grandchildren. He often shares stories of his life with them. His home is filled with books and music. He believes in teaching young people about art and culture. Despite his busy life, he makes time for his family.
Social Work
Javed Akhtar is not just a writer. He is a voice for change. He speaks about important issues like equality and justice. He believes in secularism, which means respecting all religions. He often talks about the need for education and women’s rights. He fights against social evils like poverty and discrimination. His speeches are bold and clear. People listen to him because he speaks from the heart.
Javed is also part of social organizations. He supports causes for the poor and needy. He uses his fame to help others. He believes artists should give back to society. His words inspire young people to think and act. He wants India to be a better place for everyone.
Awards And Achievements
Javed Akhtar’s work has won many awards. He has received five National Film Awards for his lyrics. He also won Filmfare Awards for his songs and scripts. In 1999, he was honored with the Padma Shri by the Indian government. In 2013, he received the Padma Bhushan, a higher honor. These awards show his contribution to Indian cinema and literature. In 2013, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha, India’s parliament. There, he spoke for artists and writers. He also raised issues about society.
Javed’s work is loved worldwide. His songs and poems are translated into many languages. He is invited to speak at global events. His words have crossed borders and touched hearts everywhere. He is a true ambassador of Indian culture.
Legacy And Impact
Javed Akhtar is now 80 years old, but his passion is still young. He continues to write and speak. His work inspires new writers and filmmakers. He has shown that words have power. His stories, songs, and poems will live forever. Young people look up to him. They want to write like him. They want to dream like him.
Javed’s life teaches us many lessons. He shows us that hard work and talent can overcome any challenge. He proves that simple words can create magic. His journey from a small town to Bollywood’s top is inspiring. He is a symbol of hope for dreamers.
Conclusion
Javed Akhtar is a gift to India. His words have made us laugh, cry, and think. From his struggles in Mumbai to his success in Bollywood, his story is one of courage. He is a poet, lyricist, writer, and thinker. His songs and dialogues are part of our lives. His poems make us see the world differently. On August 16, 2025, we honor this great man. Javed Akhtar’s legacy will shine forever. His words will continue to light up hearts for generations.