'Narak Jaana Pasand Karunga…': Javed Akhtar prefers hell over Pakistan - The Economic Times Video
"Many people encourage me and praise me. But people from both sides indeed abuse me. One side say you are a Kafir and will go to hell. The other side say you are a Jihadi and go to Pakistan. If I have to choose between hell and Pakistan, I would prefer to go to hell...," said Lyricist Javed Akhtar
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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Javed Akhtar praises late singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's fearless pro-India stand in Pakistan: 'He was courageous'
Javed Akhtar praised Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's courage and talent, recalling their collaboration and Nusrat's bold remarks about India-Pakistan cultural ties. Despite controversy over his political views, Akhtar's admiration remains strong, honoring Nusrat's legacy and lamenting his untimely death before a major international breakthrough. Javed Akhtar has once more reflected on the enduring cultural ties between India and Pakistan . He warmly recalls his profound respect for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan , the iconic Pakistani qawwali legend, emphasizing the power of shared artistic heritage. Controversy and Unwavering Respect Earlier, Javed Akhtar received appreciation in India but faced backlash in Pakistan for openly criticizing Pakistan's history of providing refuge to those responsible for attacks like 26/11 during his visit to Lahore. Despite this, he firmly states that his admiration for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan remains "untarnished." While speaking on AajTak Radio, Akhtar shared a moving story from a music launch event in Delhi that revealed Nusrat's remarkable "candour and courage. " Javed's collaboration with Nusrat Javed openly admitted, 'I'm not a huge fan of qawwali as a genre, but I was a great admirer of Nusrat. He was a lovely man. We worked together on an album titled Sangam — I wrote it, he composed it." He fondly recalled an event at a luxury hotel in Delhi where Nusrat spoke to a full house, with officials from the Pakistan High Commission seated prominently in the front row. Nusrat's Bold Words to the Pakistan High Commission 'Nusrat was asked to say a few words. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Най-продаваните ежедневни обувки това лято – виж защо! ZAROTRAVEL® КУПИ СЕГА Undo He said, 'I travel all over the world, but the reception I get in India is unmatched. I hang my head in shame when people ask me why my country hasn't hosted Lata Mangeshkar. I'm saying this here because I want the people from the Pakistan High Commission to pay attention,'" Javed recalled. Javed Akhtar showers praise Akhtar considered that incident as an extraordinary demonstration of courage. He remarked, 'It takes conviction, daring, and honesty to make such a statement. For me, as an Indian, it's not a big deal to say this. But for a Pakistani to say this on Indian soil and then return home — that's incredibly courageous." He went on to express his heartfelt admiration for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, saying, 'I have nothing but love and admiration for Nusrat. He died so young. He was on his way to America to sign a record deal with none other than Madonna. Who knows what more greatness he would have achieved had he lived longer."
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan made a pro-India statement in front of Pakistani diplomats, he was a courageous man': Javed Akhtar recalls anecdote
Writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar made headlines a few years ago, when he reminded a gathering of Pakistanis in Lahore that Indians cannot ignore the nationalities of the perpetrators of various terror attacks over the years. He said that he was in Mumbai during the 26/11 attacks, and that he watched his city burn. He also reminded the crowd that while India has rolled out the red carpet for Pakistani artists such as the singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Pakistan hasn't extended the same courtesy to Indian singers. He said that Lata Mangeshkar was by far the most popular celebrity in Pakistan, but she was never invited to perform there. His comments were praised by Indians, but the incident hasn't diminished his admiration for Nusrat. In a recent interview, he recalled an anecdote about meeting Nusrat at an event in Delhi, and what transpired there. Appearing on AajTak Radio, he said, 'I'm not a big fan of qawwali, but I was a huge admirer of Nusrat. He was a lovely man. We worked on an album together, called Sangam. I wrote it, he composed it. It was released at a big five-star hotel in New Delhi. A delegation from the Pakistan high commission was seated in the front row. Nusrat was asked to say a few words, and he said, 'I travel all over the world, but the reception I get in India is unmatched. I hang my head in shame when people ask me why my country hasn't hosted Lata Mangeshkar. I'm saying this here because I want the people from the Pakistan high commission to pay attention'.' Also read – Javed Akhtar accused Sadhguru of 'playing dangerous game' with devotees: 'He's using his brain, doesn't want you to use yours' Javed said that it takes 'conviction' and 'daring' and 'honesty' to make such statements. 'For me to say this isn't a big deal; I'm an Indian. But for a Pakistani to say this to his own people, and then return to Pakistan, it was an extremely courageous statement to make,' he said. Javed reiterated that he has nothing but love and admiration for Nusrat. 'I went for his condolence meet as well, after he died. And he died so young. He happened to be in London while on his way to America, and he died there. He was going to America to sign a record deal with none other than Madonna. Who knows what greatness he would have accomplished had he lived longer.' Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born in 1948. He died at the age of 48 in the year 1997. Javed pointed out that he was one of the first South Asian artistes who could sell out shows overseas, not among the diaspora, but among the local population. Shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, Javed Akhtar repeated his sentiment about cross-border exchange of art. 'It has been a one way traffic, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Noor Jahan came to India, we gave them a great reception. Faiz Ahmad Faiz, who is a poet of subcontinent, he was living in Pakistan, when he came to India during the AB Vajpayee regime, he was treated like a state head, the kind of respect given by the government,' he told news agency PTI.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Javed Akhtar receives Dostoevsky Star Award for cultural contribution
Veteran screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar was honoured with the Dostoevsky Star Award by the Russian House on June 6 in Mumbai. The award is presented for his role in promoting cultural dialogue and preserving literary heritage. At 80, Akhtar reflected on the personal significance of receiving an award named after one of his early literary influences. 'Dostoevsky is one of the most respected novelists and journalists. In our Khandala house, we have his portrait on the door of our study,' he shared. 'I don't think any Indian writer has received the Dostoevsky Star Award before.' As part of the felicitation, a book of Akhtar's poems translated into Russian by Ramdas Akella was also released during the event. Akhtar, who grew up reading Russian literature in Urdu and English translation, credited writers like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Anton Chekhov, and Maxim Gorky for shaping his narrative sensibilities. He highlighted the long-standing mutual admiration between Indian and Russian literary traditions, noting how both cultures have influenced each other through translated works. Akhtar's wife, actor Shabana Azmi, took to social media to share the moment. Posting a photo of the ceremony, she wrote, 'Another big honour for Javed Akhtar as he received the Dostoevsky Star Award! This year, the Russian House is deeply honoured to award the renowned poet, lyricist and public intellectual Mr Javed Akhtar.' Known for his iconic contributions to Indian cinema, Akhtar co-wrote classics such as Zanjeer, Sholay, Mashaal, and Lakshya, and has also been recognised for his lyrical work in countless Hindi films. Over the years, he has received five National Film Awards for Best Lyrics, the Padma Shri in 1999, the Padma Bhushan in 2007, and the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for his poetry collection Lava. In 2020, he became the first Indian to receive the Richard Dawkins Award for his commitment to rationalism and critical thought.
