Explore the full biography of Javed Akhtar, the legendary Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter. Discover his life story, career highlights, family, top songs, movies, books, controversies, net worth, and achievements
⭐ Javed Akhtar Biography – Life Story, Career, Poetry, Songs & Achievements
Javed Akhtar is one of India’s most celebrated lyricists, poets, screenwriters, and cultural icons. With a career spanning over five decades, he has redefined Hindi cinema through his thought-provoking lyrics, impactful poetry, and socially conscious screenplays. Known for his eloquence, literary mastery, and activism, Javed Akhtar remains a respected figure not just in India but across the globe.
This biography delves into his early life, family, career milestones, top songs, literary contributions, personal life, controversies, net worth, awards, and achievements.
Javed Akhtar Biography Snippet
| Attribute |
Details |
| Full Name |
Javed Akhtar |
| Date of Birth |
17 January 1945 |
| Birth Place / City |
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Zodiac Sign |
Capricorn |
| Religion |
Muslim (Secular outlook) |
| Parents |
Jan Nisar Akhtar (Father), Safia Akhtar (Mother) |
| Wife |
Shabana Azmi |
| Children |
Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar |
| Height |
5'9" (175 cm) |
| Weight |
72 kg |
| Net Worth |
$15–20 Million USD |
| Occupation |
Poet, Lyricist, Screenwriter, Social Activist |
| Social Media |
Twitter: @Javedakhtarjadu, Facebook: Official Page |
⭐ Who Is Javed Akhtar?
Javed Akhtar is an Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter, recognized for his contribution to Bollywood and Indian literature. His work combines classical Urdu poetry with contemporary social themes, making his songs and poetry both timeless and relevant.
He is also a secular activist and public speaker, voicing opinions on freedom of expression, communal harmony, and cultural preservation. His poetic and lyrical contributions have earned him multiple national and international awards, including Filmfare Awards, National Awards, and Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan.
⭐ Birthplace, City & Early Life
✔️ Full Name: Javed Akhtar
✔️ Birth Date: January 17, 1945
✔️ Birth Place / City: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
✔️ Nationality: Indian
Javed Akhtar was born to Jan Nisar Akhtar, a famous Urdu poet and writer, and Safia Akhtar. Growing up in a literary household, he was exposed to classical Urdu poetry, ghazals, and Indian literature from a young age.
✔️ His early exposure to art, music, and literature shaped his unique creative sensibilities.
⭐ Zodiac Sign
✔️ Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Capricorns are known for their discipline, creativity, and perseverance, qualities clearly evident in Javed Akhtar’s work ethic and prolific output.
⭐ Religion
Javed Akhtar comes from a Muslim family but is known for his secular outlook and advocacy for communal harmony. His personal beliefs often reflect humanism, tolerance, and inclusivity.
⭐ Early Career Struggle
Javed Akhtar began his career in the 1970s as a screenwriter along with Salim Khan, forming the famous Salim-Javed duo.
✔️ They wrote scripts for iconic Bollywood films like:
✔️ Sholay (1975)
✔️ Deewaar (1975)
✔️ Zanjeer (1973)
Despite later acclaim, Javed faced initial struggles to establish his identity in a competitive film industry. He worked tirelessly, faced rejections, and honed his craft before becoming a household name.
⭐ Career Peak – Lyricist and Screenwriter
After parting ways from Salim-Javed in the 1980s, Javed Akhtar focused on lyric writing and poetry.
He became the voice behind iconic Bollywood songs, many of which remain evergreen:
✔️ Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga (1942: A Love Story)
✔️ Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna)
✔️ Yeh Honsla (Dor)
✔️ Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se)
✔️ Jashn-e-Bahara (Jodhaa Akbar)
✔️ His lyrical style combines romance, social messages, and poetic elegance, making him one of the most respected lyricists in Bollywood.
⭐ Books & Poetry
Javed Akhtar has also authored several poetry collections and literary works, including:
✔️ Tarkash
✔️ Lava
✔️ Aao Baith Lein
His poetry is celebrated for lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and philosophical insights, bridging traditional Urdu poetry with modern themes.
⭐ Family, Wife & Children
✔️ Wife: Shabana Azmi, renowned Indian actress and social activist
✔️ Children: Farhan Akhtar (actor, director, singer) & Zoya Akhtar (film director)
✔️ Height: 5’9” (175 cm)
✔️ Weight: 72 kg
His family has a rich cultural and cinematic heritage, and together they have contributed immensely to Indian arts and cinema.
⭐ Top Movies & Songs
Screenwriting Career (Salim-Javed era):
✔️ Zanjeer (1973)
✔️ Sholay (1975)
✔️ Deewaar (1975)
✔️ Don (1978)
✔️ Mr. India (1987)
Lyricist Career:
✔️ Chaiyya Chaiyya – Dil Se (1998)
✔️ Jashn-e-Bahara – Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
✔️ Mitwa – Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
✔️ Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga – 1942: A Love Story (1994)
⭐ Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth: $15–20 million USD
Sources of Income:
✔️ Bollywood lyricist and screenwriting
✔️ Poetry books and publications
✔️ Public speaking engagements
✔️ Awards and royalties
⭐ Top Scandals & Controversies
✔️ Though mostly respected, Javed Akhtar faced controversies occasionally:
✔️ Criticism for outspoken views on religion and politics
✔️ Debates around lyrical content in films
✔️ Public disagreements with film industry colleagues over artistic decisions
✔️ Despite these, he maintains a positive, inspirational image as a cultural icon.
⭐ Social Media Presence
✔️ Twitter: @Javedakhtarjadu
✔️ Facebook: Official Page
✔️ He uses social media primarily to share poetry, social opinions, and advocacy work.
⭐ Awards & Achievements
✔️ Padma Shri (1999) – Government of India
✔️ Padma Bhushan (2007) – Government of India
✔️ Multiple National Film Awards for Best Lyrics
✔️ Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist
✔️ Recognized globally for contribution to poetry, cinema, and social activism
⭐ FAQ – Javed Akhtar
❓ Who is Javed Akhtar?
Javed Akhtar is an Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter known for his contributions to Bollywood and Urdu poetry.
❓ When and where was he born?
He was born on January 17, 1945, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
❓ What is Javed Akhtar’s religion?
He comes from a Muslim family but is a strong advocate of secularism and humanism.
❓ Who is his wife and children?
He is married to Shabana Azmi. They have two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar.
❓ What are his top songs and movies?
Top songs include Chaiyya Chaiyya, Mitwa, Jashn-e-Bahara, and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga. Screenwriting works include Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer, and Don.
❓ What awards has he received?
Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, multiple Filmfare and National Awards.
❓ What is his net worth?
Estimated net worth is $15–20 million USD.
❓ Is Javed Akhtar active on social media?
Yes, he is active on Twitter and Facebook sharing poetry and social messages.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Who is Javed Akhtar?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Javed Akhtar is an Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter known for his contributions to Bollywood and Urdu poetry."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "When and where was he born?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "He was born on January 17, 1945, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is Javed Akhtar’s religion?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "He comes from a Muslim family but is a strong advocate of secularism and humanism."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Who is his wife and children?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "He is married to Shabana Azmi and has two children: Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are his top songs and movies?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Top songs include Chaiyya Chaiyya, Mitwa, Jashn-e-Bahara, and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga. Screenwriting works include Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer, and Don."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What awards has he received?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Javed Akhtar has received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, multiple Filmfare Awards, and National Film Awards."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is his net worth?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "His estimated net worth is $15–20 million USD."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Is Javed Akhtar active on social media?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Yes, he is active on Twitter and Facebook, sharing poetry and social messages."
}
}
]
}
0 Comments