The Javed Akhtar Chat
'I have started writing a script'
As soon as Javed Akhtar entered the chat room, he announced he had started working on a script after a long hiatus. And everyone was delighted. The poet-lyricist-script-writer went to answer questions on various subjects -- from films to politics to the Water controversy.
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:35 IST)
Hello everyone, I am ready for your questions.
Jay (Thu Jun 29 4:24 IST)
What is the current most thing u r excited about?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:37 IST)
Jay: After quite a few years, an idea for a film script has inspired me. And I have started working on it. It's rather exciting.
Atul (Thu Jun 29 4:36 IST)
Mr. Javed Saab, I am the Big fan of Big B, and to which you have lot of contribution to make him SUPERSTAR...so naturally I am fan of yours as well... I like 'Main Azaad Hoon' very much. Why you have stopped writing for him? Are you willing to write story for him? If yes which character will you portrait?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:41 IST)
Atul: I have never written scripts for actors. Because that would be putting the cart before the horse. I prefer writing a script and then thinking about who would fit the role. Incidentally, I have started writing a script after a fairly long gap. Let me complete it, then I will think about the casting. If there is any role worth an actor of Amitabh's stature, I'll definitely contact him and be honoured and happy if he accepts it. Then again, that is a big IF :)
Farida (Thu Jun 29 4:37 IST)
Mr Akhtar what is your assesment of Abhshiek, whose fate will be decided tomorrow? You penned his fathers most defining roles and you have penned the lyrics of his sons debut film....how do you feel? comments pls
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:43 IST)
Farida: You must be aware that, just a couple of days back, some American scientists have released the human gene map which was made after almost 15 years of concentrated effort by a group of scientists. If Abhishek doesn't prove to be a good actor, I can tell you that those scientists were wasting their time.
SAPPHIRE (Thu Jun 29 4:41 IST)
hI jAVEDSAAB, ASALAAMVALEKUM. i DONT THINK U WILL REMEMBER ME. i AM PHILOMENAKHAN(NEE)DSOUZA. i KNEW U WAY BACK IN 78 WHEN i WAS WORKING WITH RAUF AHMED FOR SUPER. HOW R THINGS,TAKE CARE i AM IN BAHRAIN NOW DO U REMEBER??
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:44 IST)
Hello Philomena, of course I remember you. What are you doing in Bahrain? Write to me in detail.
Rishi (Thu Jun 29 4:42 IST)
Mr Akhtar do you agree with the Autonomy Bill that is trying to be passed by Mr Abdullah?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:47 IST)
Rishi: Theoretically, I would welcome autonomy not only for Kashmir, but for all the states of India. Perhaps we need a more federal system. But, looking at the present political situation in Kashmir, I believe autonomy is not the answer to the problems that Kashmir is facing. Kashmir can ask for autonomy only when the Kashmiri Pandits join this demand.
Rohan (Thu Jun 29 4:42 IST)
Mr Akhtar, u refused to pen lyrics for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai because you thought the title was obscene, in retrospect do you feel that you were wrong in your convictions as far as that film was concerned?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:49 IST)
Rohan: It is true that I walked out of the film even after recording a song because I was not comfortable with the title. In retrospect, I do see that people have not found it crude or vulgar so, obviously, I was wrong. But one has to be guided by his conscience and convictions. And nothing is wrong with that.
ketki (Thu Jun 29 4:43 IST)
tell us the most unforgettable incident related to the great film SHOLAY.
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:50 IST)
Ketki: The most unforgetable incident about Sholay is that it has proved the biggest hit ever in this country.
Atul (Thu Jun 29 4:43 IST)
What usually happens in your case? You mould your lyrics as per the tune given by music composer or it is vice versa? What suits you most?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:52 IST)
Atul: I am fortunate enough to have a very good working relationship with my music directors. So we work both ways. Sometimes I write the lyrics and they make the tune. And, sometimes, I write to their tune.
Atul (Thu Jun 29 4:44 IST)
Whom do you enjoy most, Javed as WRITER or 'LYRICIST'?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:54 IST)
Atul: I don't see any need for this 'Sofie's choice.' Every person has many aspects to his or her personality. Where is the need to choose one aspect at the cost of an other?
red (Thu Jun 29 4:49 IST)
Javed ji according to you what is life means and how to accept it.
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 4:57 IST)
Red: Since I am an atheist, I have no concept of any life before or after this life. I believe that human society is a club and I have been give temporary membership, with lot of privileges. So, before quitting, it becomes my moral duty, as a decent member of club, to contribute something towards the club. To me, that is life and that is the purpose of the life.
Yogesh Bhatia (Thu Jun 29 4:51 IST)
JAVED WHICH IS YOUR FAVOUIRET GAZAL, AND SINGER WHO SING YOUR GAZAL WITH SOUL
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:1 IST)
Yogesh: Every singer has his or her own style; you cannot compare one with the other. Can we compare Jagjit with Nusrat? Of course not. Can we compare Alka with Shubha Mudgal? Of course not. They have different styles and different asthetics. We have to appreciate each one of them in their different perspectives.
Naveen Naushad (Thu Jun 29 4:52 IST)
What's your opinion about A.R.Rahman's style of composition ?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:3 IST)
Naveen: If I tell you that A R Rahman is an exceptional talent, I'll be stating the obvious. Tell me, how do I tell you what I think of him?
juhi (Thu Jun 29 4:53 IST)
people say yours and shabana's lobbying skill in delhi is excellent,both of you play secular and muslim card conveniently.
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:4 IST)
Juhi: I would love to see that day where every Indian starts playing the secularist card conveniently. Why don't you start playing secularist Hindu card? Or is it not convenient?
neetha (Thu Jun 29 4:55 IST)
who do u think the greatest music director is?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:6 IST)
neetha: Music is not a weight-lifting competition. You can find the greatest in boxing, not in music. Music has a number of greats who cannot be compared with each other.
mianmaahir (Thu Jun 29 4:56 IST)
do u consider ur life as a 'mohray ka safar ?', is it really that lonely at the top ?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:8 IST)
Mianmahir: Life offers you package deals. Don't you know light creates shadows?
Sanjay (Thu Jun 29 4:59 IST)
Mr Akhtar how closely are you involved with you son Farhaan Akhtar's debut film? Can u tell us about it? and what is the equation you have working with him?:-)
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:16 IST)
Sanjay: I am writing the lyrics for Farhan's film. And it is as easy or as difficult as it is to work with any young, enthusiastic, excited director who is making his first movie. Any way, it has its plus points too. In this interaction, for a change, I am not the one who is going to pick up the bill.
mijoy (Thu Jun 29 5:17 IST)
hello javedji...What's your latest album
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:21 IST)
Mijoy: I am on the verge of completing an album with Alka and Hariharan. It has eight duets. This untitled album has Raju Singh's music. He has collaborated with Alka and me for our earlier album, Tum Yaad Aaye. We will most probably call this album Tum Aaye. These are eight happy songs of love.
Harun (Thu Jun 29 5:17 IST)
hi javed what is your full name and where you live this time
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:22 IST)
Harun: Javed Akhtar is my full name and I live in Juhu.
Tarun (Thu Jun 29 5:18 IST)
Water is yet to be given permission to be shot in India...doesnt it make you furious that a few people with political motives misrepresent a work of art not yet created and the piece of art becomes a political issue without even existing....it sounds like a Miramax comedy almost...your comments pls
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:25 IST)
Tarun: I think the Water episode was just a small manifestation of a very large problem. History tells us that, any point of time, some people raise the bogey of culture and nationalism to ultimately destroy both of them. In 20th century, right from Nazis to Taliban, we have a long list of horrifying movements. We should see to it that such forces are not allowed to exist in the socio-political space of our country.
Renu (Thu Jun 29 5:23 IST)
Javed ji i heard that two lion can't stay in one jungle.then how can two intellectuals you and shabana ji adjusted with each other
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:28 IST)
Renu: You are forgetting one is a lioness :)
Minu (Thu Jun 29 5:27 IST)
Javedji, I am definetly your biggest fan.. May i ask who is your inspiration??
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:30 IST)
Minu: There is no inspiration bigger than life itself. If you can feel, if you can see, if you can hear, if you can think, where is the shortage of inspiration?
Javed Akhtar (Thu Jun 29 5:31 IST)
EVERYONE: GOODBYE AND SEE YOU SOME OTHER TIME ON REDIFF.COM
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