Famous poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar celebrated his 81st anniversary (January 17).
Hindi film screenplay and dialogue writer Javed Akhtar recently turned eighty-one and at this stage of age, according to him, he is moving beyond his successful goals and in search of a new direction. Recently, famous poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar celebrated his 81st anniversary (January 17). Javed Akhtar has created his own identity in Hindi cinema. Gwalior-born Javed Akhtar has greatly enriched Indian cinema with his writings. His writings are known from Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer, Don, Mr. India and Lagaan. He has received five National Film Awards, Padmashree and Padma Bhushan awards. Dear poets of people of every age and every era have been expressing the truth of love, pain and life in simple words. He told many unknown stories of his life to Arvind Mandloi, who wrote his biography under the name Jadoonama.
Papa don’t grow old
“When I grow old, you will take care of me?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What will you do for me?”
“I’ll bring you a cigarette.”
“Where will you get the money from?”
“I will take it from mom.”
“I give money to mom.” If I don’t earn, where will mommy get the money from?
He got very nervous. Started thinking for some time. Then she placed her head on my chest and said, “Papa, don’t grow old.”
Four-year-old Farhan wanted his father Javed Akhtar to never grow old. Today, when he is 81 years old, he often remembers this conversation. They also say that “old age overtakes a man by ten years.”
first contract
1960s. Javed Akhtar recalls, the names of illegal taverns in Bombay of that time used to be ‘Aunty’s Adda’. One peg was available for 50 paise. People used to go to aunty’s place to enjoy tharre (country liquor). In those days, there used to be a two-room Bailey Seth’s hangout on the ground floor of a building in Bandra. Bailey Seth, about 40 years old, used to wear kurta-pajama. His personality was very special. Two young boys used to work at his place, who used to become servants to prostitutes in the evening. Subhash Ghai, Shatrughan Sinha, cameraman K.K. Apart from Mahajan and Sudarshan Nag, Mani Kaul also used to come here regularly. Bailey Seth used to give us loans, which was not possible anywhere else in the world. When we got money, we would repay the loan. Seth was very fond of drinking and used to think that someday he would make a film for which he would give the music. He felt that he had expertise in music. When we didn’t have money and felt like drinking, we would give him Muska, Bailey Seth, haven’t you played any new tune for a long time? He would reply, “Look friend, due to business the mail has got spoiled, nothing comes to mind.” He would remain silent for some time and then call his servant to bring the harmonium. We were all on the verge of orgasm. We used to praise him a lot and say, wow, wow! What is the matter! What a tune Bailey Seth! Wonderful! Once this music comes, it will spread like wildfire. Seth would get emotional and say, “You know Dharmendra used to come here and so did Rajkumar. When people become rich and famous they forget everyone. You guys will also do the same.”
Bailey Seth knew I was struggling. One day he asked me, “Will you write the dialogue for my picture?” I replied, “Belly Seth, if you give the work to someone else, I will be heartbroken.” He made me sign on the letterhead of Bailey Production that one day I will write the dialogues for his film. He looked at my signature and said to his servant, “Keep this paper safely and get a new peg for Javed.” This was my first contract as a dialogue writer, which I had signed.
Then everyone knows that Javed Akhtar had become a successful writer after Zanjeer as Salim-Javed.
story of success
Nasir Hussain had organized a party on the completion of Yaadon Ki Baaraat. Met a producer in that party. He said, “Javed, if there is any story, tell me, I am looking for a good story.” I said, we have the script, dialogues and everything written. The problem is that no one is giving us as much money as we are asking for. The producer said, “Money is not a problem, I just want a good story.” Come to my office tomorrow and tell me the story.” I reached the producer’s office and before starting the story said, I don’t want to take a single rupee before release. I will tell you the rate of the script right away. If you like the story and later I tell you the price, you will say that you liked the story so I am increasing the price. Then the producer asked, “What is the rate?” Two lakhs, I replied flatly. The producer rang the bell and asked his servant to call his partner sitting in the other room. After the partner came into the room, the producer said smilingly, “Whatever you say to me, say to this one too.” Two lakh rupees for a script. And both of them started laughing.
Then there came a time when Salim-Javed took the price of the story and script more than any star and the producers gave it.
script-like journey
During the days of struggle, I used to sleep inside Kamal Studio. There was a platform built under a huge banyan tree. Apart from me, other people also slept on that platform. There was a paan-beedi shop near Kamal Studio. Once some work was going on at the shop. There I met an unknown man, who was wearing lungi and ganji. He had come to buy cigarettes. He told that he lives in a nearby bungalow. Then we started meeting often at the shop. Sometimes I used to recite my poetry to him. He used to make C grade films. One day he said, “Son, the rainy season is about to come.” It is not right for you to sleep here. You can sleep in the verandah of my house. I will inform the servant.” I thanked him heartily. Whenever it rained, I used to sleep in their verandah. When a friend of mine gave me a place to stay, I went there and never met him again.
After a long time, Shabana and I had to go to a friend’s house from Janaki Kutir in Juhu. I had sent my driver somewhere for some work. So, we both took a taxi. It was already night. Suddenly the taxi driver said to me, “Javed, you didn’t recognize me.” I saw the driver’s face in the rear view mirror. He was an elderly man with a beard. I apologized and said, the light is a little low, so I am not able to recognize. Then he told his name. He was the same person who gave me a place to sleep in the verandah of his house. He said, “I feel very happy when I read about you in a newspaper or magazine. Feels good. I was already expecting from you.” All the memories started passing in front of me like pictures. I started worrying about how I would give them the money. My hands and feet started swelling due to gratitude. I couldn’t even muster the courage to ask him why he was driving a taxi, whether he was going home. I was feeling strange at that time. After getting down from the taxi, I asked, what is the meter saying? I could sense that he was embarrassed to talk about money. He said, “No son, forget it.” I will take money from you some other time.”
That journey passed through his life like a film story-script.
At this stage of age, they are leaving their successful destinations and looking for a new direction. Recently, while talking to Shabana, he was remembering that this was the most successful phase of his life. He did not get so much wealth and fame in his entire career. Even though the stages of age are passing, the journey still continues.