Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar was not wealthy when he first came to Mumbai in the 1960s. He once talked about how he was “homeless” at the time and would “sleep anywhere (he) liked”, including under trees.
On Javid’s 77th birthday, let’s take a look back at his struggles and how he transcended his circumstances to become a movie legend.
Javid talked about living in a different city, but said he “really came alive” in Mumbai. “I slept anywhere I liked — sometimes in a certain hallway, sometimes in a certain hallway, sometimes under a tree where homeless and unemployed people like me lived,” he said. “Finally, in November 1969, I got something called ‘Break’ in the movie,” he added.
Javed and his partner Salim Khan wrote the scripts for several blockbusters in the 1970s and 1980s, including Seeta Aur Geeta, Deewar, Sholay, Don and Mr India. However, due to personal differences, they parted ways in 1982.
Javed has also won several national awards, including Best Lyricist for three consecutive years – Saaz in 1997, Border in 1998 and The Godmother in 1999. He received Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honours.
In 2020, Javid reflects on his journey and the day he first arrived in Mumbai. He tweeted: “I came to Mumbai on October 4th, 1964. This 56-year journey has had many twists and turns, many roller coasters, ups and downs, but the sum has been very good for me. Thank you Mumbai, Thank you film industry, thank you life. You are all so kind.”
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
