Javed Akhtar says Kangana Ranaut apologised, asked if he will write songs for her next film; he still has a list of people he hates: ‘I have grudge against…'

Indian Express

4 days ago

Kangana Ranaut and Javed Akhtar were all over the news when the two resolved their legal battle through mediation earlier this year. Sharing a picture on her Instagram Stories, Kangana Ranaut said that she resolved her issues with Javed Akhtar. She even shared that the veteran lyricist has even agreed to write songs for her next directorial film. Now, Javed Akhtar has reacted to the news.
In an interview with Lallantop, Javed Akhtar recalled his meeting with the Queen actress and said, 'I met her at the court where she wrote me an apology before the judge. She signed on them.' He added, 'I never demanded any money from her. I just demanded an apology, which she did. Even the judge signed on the apology letter. Soon after that, we had a conversation. She asked me, 'Aap meri agli picture mein gaane likhenge? (Will you write songs for my next directorial?)' I was like, 'Kyu nahi likhunga? (Why not?)' Then her lawyer suggested if he could add more things like, 'She respects you very much and you are like her father figure'. I was like, 'Please, don't write all that. I don't want to be a father figure for someone so beautiful.'' Javed Akhtar laughed as he said this.
He further shared, 'Now, everything is sorted between us. She even wrote that she will never make such comments against me again. What more do I need? It makes no sense to keep grudge against her. She corrected her mistake and that's all that matters. Now, whenever I will see her, we will meet each other with respect and fondness.'
In the same interview, however, Javed said that not all mistakes can be forgiven. He said he has a list of people, who he still dislikes. 'There are a few people who I have not forgiven. I won't reveal their names. I still have grudge against them'.
Javed Akhtar filed a defamation case against Kangana Ranaut in 2020 after she alleged that the veteran lyricist forced her to apologise to her Krissh co-star Hrithik Roshan. As a counter-complaint in 2021, Kangana accused Javed Akhtar of calling her and her sister Rangoli Chandel to his house with malafide intentions and ulterior motives.
Five years later, Kangana Ranaut took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture with the veteran lyricist. She wrote, 'Today Javed ji and I have resolved our legal matter (defamation case) through mediation. In the mediation, Javed ji has been very kind and gracious. He also agreed to write songs for my next directorial.'
A month later, Javed Akhtar's wife and actress Shabana Azmi shared her disappointment in press showing it as a mutual settlement, whereas according to her it was her husband's victory,
She told Bollywood Hungama, 'They had asked for no monetary compensation but for her apology in writing, The victory is his and his lawyer Jay Bhardwaj's. But, I am mystified why the press made it seem as though it was a mutual settlement but did not mention that it was the apology in writing which he was seeking and why he had fought the case for four and half years.'