Javed Akhtar Biography, Facts & Life Story

Javed Akhtar is a famous Indian lyricist, screenwriter and poet. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi as well as five National Filmfare Awards. Javed Akhtar was born in Gwalior, India on 17^th January, 1945. His father named Jan Nisar Akhtar was a renowned Urdu poet as well as songwriter, and his Mom Safia Akhtar was a famous singer, writer and teacher. Javed’s grandfather named Muztar Khairabadi was a famous lyricist and was his grandfather’s eldest brother, Bismil Khairabadi, whilst his grand grandfather named Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was a famous scholar of Islamic theology and played a crucial part in first Freedom Movement of India in the year1857. Javed Akhtar spent his childhood and also completed his schooling in Lucknow. He earned his graduation degree from Saifiya College Bhopal.

Akhtar’s first prominent success was the screenplay for Andaz, trailed by Adhikar, Seeta Aur Geeta and Haathi Mere Saathi. They also had some megahits with Zanjeer, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Deewaar, Haath Ki Safai, Chacha Bhatija, Sholay, Trishul, Don, Dostana, Zamana, Mr. India and Kranti. They have appeared together in more than 24 movies comprising off two Kannada movies –Raja Nanna Raja and Premada Kanike. Of 24 movies they wrote, 20 were super hits. The film scripts they wrote, though which were not successful at Indian box office include Immaan Dharam, Aakhri Dao, Shaan and Kaala Patthar. Although they split in the year 1982, on account of ego concerns, some of the movie scripts they wrote were made into super hit movies later, like Mr. India and Zamana.

Javed Akhtar was a Muslim though afterwards he became an agnostic. He brought up his childrens Zoya Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar as atheists.

Javed Akhtar was married to famous actress and screenwriter Honey Irani. The couple has two children named Zoya Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar, both film actors and directors. The son-and-father duo has appeared together in movies like Lakshya, Dil Chahta Hai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Rock On. Farhan Akhtar was married to a famous hair stylist named Adhuna Akhtar. He divorced Honey Irani and afterwards married to Shabana Azmi.

Facts You Never Knew About Javed Akhtar!

• Not numerous individuals are unfamiliar with the fact that Javed Akhtar’s parents firstly gave him the nickname Jadoo. Fascinatingly, the word Jadoo was derived from a poem composed by his father. The specific line comprising the word reads lamha, “lamha kisi jadoo ka fasana hoga”.
• Songwriting and poetry have been running in the blood of Javed Akhtar’s family whereas his father was a famous songwriter and his grandfather was a poet.
• In anticipations of making it big across Bollywood, Javed Akhtar came to Mumbai city in 1964. He spent several days without food, sleeping in corridors or beneath the trees prior finding accommodation at Kamal Amrohi Studio.
• Although they split up in the year 1982, a few of the scripts that they had produced by that point of time were afterward adapted into movies like Mr. India and Zamana.
• Accidentally, Akhtar and his wife Honey Irani, share same birthdays on 17 January.

Javed Akhtar Education

Qualification: Graduate in Arts

School: Not Known

College: Saifiya College, Bhopal

Javed Akhtar Gallery

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Javed Akhtar Career

Profession: Screenwriter

Debut TV Series/Movie: As a Screenwriter (with Salim Khan): Andaaz (1971)
As a Screenwriter (Solo): Betaab (1983)
As a lyricist: Silsila (1981)

Salary: 10 crore/film

Net Worth: $20 million

Family & Relatives

Father: Jan Nisar Akhtar

Mother: Safia Akhtar (Singer)

Brother(s): Salman Akhtar, Shahid Akhtar

Sister(s): Uneza Akhtar, Albina

Marital Status: Married

Wife/Girlfriend:

• Honey Irani, Ex-wife (Screenwriter & Director)
• Shabana Azm, Actress (m. 1984-present)

Children: 2

Son(s): Farhan Akhtar (son from first wife)

Daughter(s): Zoya Akhtar, Elder (daughter from first wife)

Ex Girlfriends:

Honey Irani
Shabana Azmi