Latest news with #GloriousMaharashtraFestival
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'Narak jaana pasand karuga': Javed Akhtar on what he would choose 'between Pakistan and hell'
Lyricist Javed Akhtar has spoken about facing backlash from people "from both sides". Speaking at an event of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai, he shared that while some trolls ask him to go to hell, a section of the internet wants him to go to Pakistan. The lyricist then added that if he had to choose between hell and Pakistan, he would go for the former. (Also Read | 'Haya karein, you are about to die': Pak actor Bushra Ansari rants against Javed Akhtar's comment on Pahalgam attack) Javed spoke about getting trolled at the launch of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's book Narkatla Swarg (Heaven in the Swamp) in Mumbai on Saturday. The event was attended by several political leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and (NCP-SCP) chief Sharad Pawar. While addressing the audience, Javed shared how, over the years, he has faced backlash from people due to his outspoken nature. "People from both sides abuse me. It's not one-sided. I would be very ungrateful if I don't admit that there are people who also appreciate me. Many support me, praise me, and encourage me. But this is also true: the extremists from this side also abuse me, and the extremists from that side also abuse. This is the reality," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI. "If even one of them stops abusing, I will get worried about what mistake I am making. One says I am a 'kaafir (non-believer)' and will go to hell. The other says I am a jihadi and should go to Pakistan. Toh agar mere paas sirf choice Pakistan aur jahannum yani nark ki hain toh main nark hi jaana pasand karunga (So if I have the options of choosing between Pakistan and hell, I would like to go to hell)," he added. Recently, Javed urged the central government to take strict action against Pakistan for their alleged connections to the Pahalgam attack. Javed was invited to inaugurate the Glorious Maharashtra Festival. He had said, as per ANI, "This has happened not just once but several times. I request that the Central Government take immediate steps. A few crackers on the border will not work. Take a solid step now. Do something so that the mad Army chief there (Pakistan), no sensible person can make a speech like he does." "He says that Hindus and Muslims are different communities. He does not even care that there are Hindus in his country, too. So, do they have no respect? What kind of man is he? They should get a befitting reply so that they remember. They will not pay heed to anything less. I don't know much about politics. But I do know that it is time for 'aar ya paar," Javed had added. On April 22, 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Following this, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, as per news agency ANI. After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions. Following this, India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan. with ANI inputs
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'Haya karein, you are about to die': Pak actor Bushra Ansari rants against Javed Akhtar's comment on Pahalgam attack
Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari has slammed lyricist Javed Akhtar after he criticised Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack last month. As reported by Bushra, during her trip abroad, said that Javed should stop talking about the matter. Talking about Javed, she added that 'marne mein aapke do ghanta reh gaye hai (you have less time in your life).' (Also Read | Javed Akhtar says harassing Kashmiris after Pahalgam attack 'confirms Pakistan's propaganda': They are loyal to India) Criticising Javed, Bushra said without naming him, 'Humare writer so-called, unko toh bahana hi chahiye tha. Actually unko toh makaan kiraaye pe nahi milta tha Bombay mein. Apni existence k liye jitni chahe woh (gestures speaking) karsakte nahi kya kya bol rahe hai aap. Koi haya kare. Marne mein aapke do ghanta reh gaye hai, upar se aap itni fizool baatein karrahe hai (Our writer, he needs an excuse. Actually, he didn't get any house on rent in Bombay. For his existence, he can speak anything he are you saying? Have shame. You have a few years to live, and on top of that, such nonsense you are saying).' A post shared by (@mediamasala) She said that Javed should stay quiet like veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. "Itna bhi kya koi dare, itna laalach kare. Chalo ji chup karjaaye aap. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh hai, woh chup baithe hai na? Aur bhi toh chup baithe hai na? Jiske dil mein jo hai woh rakkha rahe. Yeh toh pata nahi kya keh rahe hai. (What is this fear, greed? Keep quiet now. Naseeruddin Shah is there, he is quiet, right? Others are also quiet, right? Whatever you have in your mind, keep to yourself. I don't know what he is saying)?" Bushra said that she met a few Indian girls who spoke with love to her. She added that people in India aren't bad, but they are being "provoked". Recently, Javed urged the central government to take strict action against Pakistan for their alleged connections to the Pahalgam attack. Javed was invited to inaugurate the Glorious Maharashtra Festival. While addressing the crowd, he had said, as quoted by news agency ANI, "This has happened not just once but several times. I request that the Central Government take immediate steps. A few crackers on the border will not work. Take a solid step now. Do something so that the mad Army chief there (Pakistan), no sensible person can make a speech like he does." "He says that Hindus and Muslims are different communities. He does not even care that there are Hindus in his country, too. So, do they have no respect? What kind of man is he? They should get a befitting reply so that they remember. They will not pay heed to anything less. I don't know much about politics. But I do know that it is time for 'aar ya paar," Javed had added. 26 people were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
NDTV
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Take Solid Step Now": Javed Akhtar To Centre Over Pahalgam Attack
Mumbai: Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar urged the central government to take strict action against Pakistan for their alleged connections to the recent inhumane terror attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Javed Akhtar was invited to inaugurate the 'Glorious Maharashtra Festival', which was organised to commemorate Maharashtra's foundation day on Thursday. While addressing the politicians and other attendees at the Maharashtra Festival 2025, the Lyricist Javed Akhtar requested the Central Government to take "solid steps" against terrorism, as he believes that "a few crackers on the border" are still not enough for the lives lost in Pahalgam. "This has happened not just once but several times. I request that the Central Government take immediate steps. A few crackers on the border will not work. Take a solid step now. Do something so that the mad Army chief there (Pakistan), no sensible person can make a speech like he does. He says that Hindus and Muslims are different communities. He does not even care that there are Hindus in his country, too. So, do they have no respect? What kind of man is he? They should get a befitting reply so that they remember. They will not pay heed to anything less. I don't know much about politics. But I do know that it is time for ' aar ya paar," said Javed Akhtar. The noted screenwriter also remembered three tourists from Mumbai who lost their lives in a terror attack in Pahalgam. "Sanjay Lele, Atul Mone & Hemant Joshi from this state were looking for a moment of peace and happiness. Perhaps they should not have done that. In search of that, they visited Pahalgam. They were mercilessly shot there. We should not forget this. This is nothing ordinary. Enemies and those who wish us evil have their eyes on Mumbai," said Javed Akhtar. The co-writer of the 'Sholay' script shared an incident from his past, recounting a visit to Pakistan for a literary festival. "I went to Lahore for a literary festival. They were asking me good questions and I was answering. A woman got up and told me that Indians consider them (Pakistanis) terrorists. I told her that I am a resident of Mumbai and I have seen my city burning. Those who came to burn it did not come from Sweden or Egypt; those people are roaming freely in your city even today," shared Javed Akhtar. The lyricist also shared that India has always sought peace with Pakistan, but the neighbouring nation has refused to reciprocate. "What happened in Pahalgam is something which keeps happening after a few days. It is sad. What has Mumbai or this country done to you? Be it the Congress Government or the BJP, it always tried to have good relations with the neighbours," added lyricist Javed Akhtar. Twenty-six people were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Javed Akhtar calls for all-out war on Pak
Mumbai: Noted poet, author and lyricist Javed Akhtar – a votary of fraternal relations and collaboration between Indian and Pakistani film industries and musicians – on Thursday urged the central government to take stern action against Pakistan for its alleged role in supporting cross-border terrorism including the recent attack in Pahalgam which killed 26 people. 'Some firecrackers along border will not be enough. Teach Pakistan a lesson for once. Let it be an all out war,' Akhtar said while inaugurating the 'Glorious Maharashtra Festival' organised by the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to commemorate Maharashtra's foundation day. The festival, scheduled from May 1-4, is being held at Jambori Maidan at Worli. 'After every two-three years, Pakistan conspires terror attacks on India,' he said, referring to the Pahalgam attack and the death of three tourists from Dombivli. 'We should not forget this incident and never forgive the perpetrators. Our enemy always has set an evil eye on India, Mumbai and Kashmir. I have seen my city burning during attack of 26/11.' Akhtar accused the Pakistan army of attacking India using tribal terrorists as a shield since 1948. He said though every government in India had tried to establish good relations with Pakistan, it never responded, and recalled the outbreak of a war in Kargil in 2008 following the visit of prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the neighbouring country. 'The Pakistani army refused to accept the bodies of their soldiers who died in the Kargil war. If they can't accept their own soldiers, whom will they accept?' said Akhtar. The famous lyricist also cautioned Indians against attacking Kashmiris, saying they were they were the first to fight against Pakistan in 1948 before the Indian Army intervened in the conflict. 'Kashmiris are honest with India. So, if someone beats Kashmiris thinking they support Pakistan, it would be a big mistake and it would be like supporting the Pakistani propaganda that Kashmir and Kashmiris belong to them,' he said. Akhtar expressed gratitude for Mumbai and Maharashtra, saying he owed everything he had earned in life to the city and the state. 'I came in Mumbai at the age of 19 with 27 paisa in pocket. Mumbai gives everything to the person who works hard. Whatever I achieved and earned in life is just because of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Maharashtra is large-hearted and I cannot ever repay the debt,' he said. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal supported Akhtar's demand while deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar said his party would organise a Maharashtra Festival every year to create awareness about Maharashtra's heritage and history.
