Javed Akhtar celebrates his 66th Birthday!

Bollywood's most popular and sought-after script writer/lyricist/poet/activist Javed Akhtar celebrates his 66^th birthday on the 17^th of January.

Born in 1945, Akhtar was born into a family of talent, his lineage can be traced back to seven generations of Urdu poets, writers and freedom fighters. Previously named as Jadoo Akhtar after his birth, his original name was taken from a line in a poem written by his father: "Lamba, lamba kisi jadoo ka fasana hoga". He was soon given his official name of Javed since it was closest to the word jadoo.

Like all the celebrated personalities today, Mr. Akhtar too struggled before he could reach the top. In his early years living in Mumbai, he managed to write dialogues for minor films just for Rs. 100. Occasionally he used to manage to pocket a little more by taking up an assistant's post.

It was when Akhtar partnered up with his friend Salim Khan that life started taking a different direction. Together they formed the script-writing duo credited as Salim-Javed and then there was no looking back! They were hired by G. P. Sippy's 'Sippy Films' as resident screenwriters and penned down a range of screenplays for blockbusters films such as Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay and Don. They also wrote many other super hit films like Zanjeer, Deewar, Trishul, Mr. India etc.

Akhtar's association with Salim Khan lasted until 1980. It was after this that Akhtar thought about going solo again and wrote some scripts of his own. However, it wasn't long before he moved into writing lyrics for movie songs, a category in which he has achieved immense success.

Javed Akhtar has received many awards for his contribution to the Indian film industry and is continuing to do so. He was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Government of India in 1999 and also received the Padma Bhushan in 2007 amongst countless other awards for his engaging role in activism. To date, Akhtar has won the Filmfare Award fifteen times, seven times for Best Script, seven times for Best Lyrics and once for the Life Time Achievement. Akhtar has won many other awards for Best Lyricist as well, which include four Screen Awards, five Zee Awards and three IIFA Awards. And to add to the already cabinet full of honors, Akhtar has also been the winner of four Sansui Viewers Choice Awards. When one is as gifted as Akhtar Saab, such accolades are to be expected!

Javed is the father Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar (from his first wife Honey Irani), who hold equal statures in talent and success. He is now happily married to Shabana Azmi, one of India's most respected actress, social activist and former Member of Parliament.

Here's hoping that Mr. Akhtar has a splendid birthday and may the upcoming year be as acclaimed as the previous ones!

Author: Vedo

Copyright  BollyCurry

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