'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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The Hindu
2 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
He made Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar overnight stars, yet his wife was found begging at Mumbai station. Who was Khemchand Prakash?
Javed Akhtar , a respected voice in the Indian film industry, has consistently supported the cause of fair compensation for those behind the creation of music — including lyricists, composers, and singers. His passionate advocacy for the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2010 stemmed not only from a sense of justice but also from heartbreaking real-life stories that illustrate the absence of protective systems for creators. One such story is that of legendary composer Khemchand Prakash , whose family endured neglect and hardship after his untimely death. Prakash's name is etched in the golden era of Hindi cinema as a musical genius who shaped the careers of icons like Lata Mangeshkar , Kishore Kumar, Naushad, and Manna Dey. In an era when fresh talent struggled to find recognition, it was Prakash who gave Lata her big break in the film Ziddi in 1948. However, it was their second collaboration — the hauntingly beautiful 'Aayega Aane Wala' from Mahal — that catapulted her into national fame. Unfortunately, Prakash did not live to see the success of the film or the song, as he passed away in 1950 at the young age of 42 due to liver cirrhosis. His death not only marked the end of a brilliant musical journey but also pushed his family into financial turmoil. His wife, Sridevi, and daughter, Chandrakala, reportedly received little to no support from the industry. Their financial situation worsened over time, and in a painful revelation later shared by Javed Akhtar in the Rajya Sabha, it was found that Prakash's wife was reduced to begging at a Mumbai railway station, decades after her husband had composed timeless melodies. The industry's failure to support the families of its pioneers exposed the systemic gaps in how creators were compensated. Akhtar's speech during the parliamentary session served as both a tribute and a call to action. He emphasized how creators like Prakash were denied their rightful earnings because royalties were either poorly enforced or entirely absent. He argued that if Prakash's family had received ongoing income from the music he composed, their lives would have been very different. One of his compositions alone, 'Aayega Aane Wala,' could have earned his family lakhs in royalties, with reports suggesting a potential amount of ₹50 lakh. Khemchand Prakash was born in 1907 into a family deeply rooted in classical performance traditions. His father, Goverdhan Das, was a skilled Dhrupad singer and Kathak performer in the royal court of Madho Singh II. Though Prakash began his musical career early, his initial contributions to the 1935 version of Devdas were uncredited. His formal debut came in 1939 with Meri Aankhein. Over the next decade, he delivered a series of hits, including in films like Tansen, Ziddi, and Mahal. His compositions graced the voices of KL Saigal, Shamshad Begum, Noorjehan, and Kamini Kaushal, setting a high bar for Bollywood music. One of Prakash's greatest contributions to the industry was not just his music but his talent-spotting abilities. He discovered Kishore Kumar and brought him to public attention with the song 'Marne Ki Duaaen Kyun Maangu.' Lata Mangeshkar herself recalled in a 2020 interview that her first meeting with Kishore took place en route to Prakash's studio, highlighting how the composer was the connecting thread in some of Indian cinema 's most celebrated artistic unions. Today, the story of Khemchand Prakash stands as both a tribute to a musical visionary and a stark reminder of how creators can be forgotten if laws fail to protect their contributions. His life and legacy underscore the urgency of reform in recognizing and rewarding artistic labor — not just for the sake of artists, but for the dignity of their families as well.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
He made Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar overnight stars, yet his wife was found begging at Mumbai station. Who was Khemchand Prakash?
Agencies Forgotten Maestro: The Genius Who Launched Legends but Died in Obscurity Javed Akhtar, a respected voice in the Indian film industry, has consistently supported the cause of fair compensation for those behind the creation of music — including lyricists, composers, and singers. His passionate advocacy for the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2010 stemmed not only from a sense of justice but also from heartbreaking real-life stories that illustrate the absence of protective systems for creators. One such story is that of legendary composer Khemchand Prakash, whose family endured neglect and hardship after his untimely death. Prakash's name is etched in the golden era of Hindi cinema as a musical genius who shaped the careers of icons like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Naushad, and Manna Dey. In an era when fresh talent struggled to find recognition, it was Prakash who gave Lata her big break in the film Ziddi in 1948. However, it was their second collaboration — the hauntingly beautiful 'Aayega Aane Wala' from Mahal — that catapulted her into national fame. Unfortunately, Prakash did not live to see the success of the film or the song, as he passed away in 1950 at the young age of 42 due to liver cirrhosis. His death not only marked the end of a brilliant musical journey but also pushed his family into financial turmoil. His wife, Sridevi, and daughter, Chandrakala, reportedly received little to no support from the industry. Their financial situation worsened over time, and in a painful revelation later shared by Javed Akhtar in the Rajya Sabha, it was found that Prakash's wife was reduced to begging at a Mumbai railway station, decades after her husband had composed timeless melodies. The industry's failure to support the families of its pioneers exposed the systemic gaps in how creators were speech during the parliamentary session served as both a tribute and a call to action. He emphasized how creators like Prakash were denied their rightful earnings because royalties were either poorly enforced or entirely absent. He argued that if Prakash's family had received ongoing income from the music he composed, their lives would have been very different. One of his compositions alone, 'Aayega Aane Wala,' could have earned his family lakhs in royalties, with reports suggesting a potential amount of ₹50 Prakash was born in 1907 into a family deeply rooted in classical performance traditions. His father, Goverdhan Das, was a skilled Dhrupad singer and Kathak performer in the royal court of Madho Singh II. Though Prakash began his musical career early, his initial contributions to the 1935 version of Devdas were uncredited. His formal debut came in 1939 with Meri Aankhein. Over the next decade, he delivered a series of hits, including in films like Tansen, Ziddi, and Mahal. His compositions graced the voices of KL Saigal, Shamshad Begum, Noorjehan, and Kamini Kaushal, setting a high bar for Bollywood of Prakash's greatest contributions to the industry was not just his music but his talent-spotting abilities. He discovered Kishore Kumar and brought him to public attention with the song 'Marne Ki Duaaen Kyun Maangu.' Lata Mangeshkar herself recalled in a 2020 interview that her first meeting with Kishore took place en route to Prakash's studio, highlighting how the composer was the connecting thread in some of Indian cinema's most celebrated artistic the story of Khemchand Prakash stands as both a tribute to a musical visionary and a stark reminder of how creators can be forgotten if laws fail to protect their contributions. His life and legacy underscore the urgency of reform in recognizing and rewarding artistic labor — not just for the sake of artists, but for the dignity of their families as well.
