Javed Akhtar says he went through ‘homelessness and starvation’ in early years: ‘Life has been kind to me’

Veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar took to social media on Saturday to write about his journey as a 19-year-old boy in Mumbai. He said that he arrived in the city with just 27 paisa in his pocket and went through homelessness and starvation.

He took to X and wrote that he arrived in the city on October 4, 1964, exactly 61 years ago. “On 4th October 1964 a 19-year-old boy had disembarked at Bombay central station with 27 naya paisa in his pocket. Went through homelessness, starvation, unemployment but when I look at the grand total i feel life has been too kind to me. For that I cannot but help but thank Mumbai, Maharashtra, my country and all those who looked at work kindly. Thank you, thank you so much.”

Recently, he opened up about his early years in Mumbai and how he wanted to work with Guru Dutt. “After my graduation I thought I'll go to the film industry and join Mr Guru Dutt for a couple of years and then I'll become a director. When you're 18-year-old things are simpler and easier, so that is what I had decided. It is so unfortunate that I came to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1964, on October 4 and he passed away on October 10, so I could never ever see him,” he said.

He added, “I had really thought that when I go (to Mumbai) somehow I'll manage (to work with Guru Dutt) because (poet-lyricist) Sahir (Ludhianvi) sahab was a good friend of Guru Dutt and he had written songs for Pyaasa, I thought this connection will work. I had thought I'll assist him for a while but it didn't work,” he added.

Along with his then work partner, Salim Khan, Javed is known for writing blockbusters like Deewar (1975), Sholay (1975), Zanjeer (1973), Don (1978) and Mr. India (1987) among others.

Over the years, he has also written songs for films like Dil Chahta Hai, Jodhaa Akbar, Talaash, Raees, and Gully Boy among others.