On January 17, legendary screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar turned 80, marking eight decades of a life filled with poetic brilliance and creative mastery. However, in true Akhtar style, he downplayed the occasion with his trademark humility.
“It is surely a milestone, but the road to it is the same. You keep moving ahead, milestones come and go. Ultimately, it’s just the planet rotating on its axis around the sun. It’s a seamless process, usse humne birthdays bana diya hai lakeerein kheench ke. We should not take it seriously,” he reflected.
When it came to celebrations, Akhtar opted for simplicity over grandeur. The iconic lyricist spent the day at his farmhouse, surrounded by close friends and family. “I didn’t want my birthday to be a big affair. There was a grand celebration when I turned 75, but now I think it’s enough. Abhi kya karna hai?” he shared.
With a career spanning five decades, Akhtar’s contribution to Indian cinema and literature remains unparalleled. Yet, he doesn’t dwell much on his legacy but chooses to express gratitude for the life he has led. “I do sit and think about it. I am thankful to life, it has been kind to me. The grand total is in my favour. There have been ups and downs, but I am in profit, so no complaints!”
When asked about the most cherished gift life has given him, Akhtar pointed to his children—filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar. “The best gift I could have gotten is my children. They have done well in their lives. It becomes an emotionally and socially aesthetic situation when both your children achieve so much. That’s the best gift,” he concluded.
Akhtar’s approach to his milestone birthday serves as a testament to his philosophy of life—a seamless journey marked not by the grandeur of celebrations but by gratitude, reflection, and the joy of watching the next generation shine.