Mumbai, Jan 17: Noted poet and film lyricist, Javed
Akhtar, known for his rich repetoire of poems both in Hindi
and Urdu, turned 60 today.
The suburban residence of Akhtar was flooded with phone
calls, cards and visitors right from the morning wishing the
poet on his turning 60.
"Our house is filled with visitors and guests flying all
the way from London, New Delhi and other parts of the country
and the globe", Javed's wife, noted actress Shabana Azmi said here.
About Javed, she said, "I think he is becoming a more
mature person and his poetry has been on the progressive
track. But I still feel he has a very long innings. He is one
of the few writers who has been working with the younger
generation that helps him keep the spring in his feet and the
older ones that makes him stay rooted to the ground."
"Javed himself thinks that turning 60 gives him the
`official freedom to be senile'", she said in a lighter vein.
To mark the occasion, the family had thrown a party
yesterday, capturing the mood of the 60's.
"Javed, a big fan of Dev Anand, had dressed up as the
actor with the collared apparel while I dressed as Sharmila
Tagore from the film `Waqt', Baba (Shabana's brother and
famous photographer) dressed as Shammi Kapoor and Farhaan
(Javed's son and film-maker) as one of the group members of
the music group Beatles", she said. "We also had a stylist
to do the hairstyles of the 60s" Shabana added.
"Today we have lined up a party for Javed and have
invited his close friends, members of the industry and family.
It is going to be celebration time," she said.
Born on January 17, 1945 into the family of writers Jan
Nisar and Safia Akhtar, Javed moved from Bhopal to Mumbai to
seek his fortune.
It was his pairing with writer Salim that saw both
earning fame and fortune.
Their films like `Zanjeer', 'Deewar', `Sholay', `Haathi
Mere Sathi',`Seeta Aur Geeta' and `Trishul' saw cash registers
ringing. However, the two parted ways in 1981 and Javed went
on to script his own success stories through films like `Mr
India', `Betaab' and `Arjun'.
Akhtar has been a recipient of the Filmfare Award 13
times, including seven times for the best script, three for
the best lyrics.
He has also won the national awards five times. His gems
include `Ek Ladki Ko Dekha', `Saandesein Aatein Hain', `Yeh
Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar', `Chera Hai Ya Chand Khila', `Ghar Se
Nikalte Hi', `Ye Kahan Aa Gaye Hum', `Ae Jaate Hue Lamhoon'
and `Radha Kaise Na Jale'.
A strong defender of education and rights for women, he
has also actively fought against fundamentalism and is the
founder member of the group, `Muslim Intelligentsia'.
His work in collaboration with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in
`Sangam', with Jagjit Singh in `Silsilay' and Shankar
Mahadevan in `Breathless' were well appreciated. His music
album `Tum Yaad Aye' was among the best selling albums.
A collection of his poems titled `Tarkash' was published
in 1995.
Bureau Report
