Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : “The soul of India is immortal and any temporary turn of events cannot destroy it. A few elections and a handful of people cannot change the country’s ancient culture, which is the true spirit of Hindustan”, said Padma Bhushan Javed Akhtar.  

Mr. Javed Akhtar was speaking in an exclusive interview on the second day of the 9th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival. The interview was conducted by noted film director, Jayprad Desai. Apart from the enlightening interview of Mr. Akhtar, the day was also full of other interesting events including a masterclass by renowned film Director, R. Balki. 

Mr. Akhtar further said that the hero of the sixties films came from a humble background. He was very much a taxi driver, rickshaw puller, labourer or teacher. Nowadays the picture has changed. Today's heroes belong to rich families. They have nothing to do with the political and social situation of the country. So today's films don’t deal with political themes or even social issues, they revel only in personal stories.

Language is not just a means of communication, Mr. Akhtar said, it’s a river flowing with the water of culture. Cutting a people from their language is like cutting the roots of a tree. If we lose our language we also lose our culture and our stories. But unfortunately, today people who do not understand the importance of a language are making decisions about it. 

Narrating his experience of visiting the World Heritage Site of Ellora Caves, Mr. Akhtar said, I am deeply moved by watching the glorious sculptures of Ellora Caves. I feel so sorry and wonder why I didn’t come to see it earlier. I can say for sure that people who created this mesmerizing piece of art made it out of passion and not for the sake of money. Generations after generations pursued this passion. We cannot even comprehend their commitment and dedication. However, if we can absorb even a thousandth of their passion and tenacity, we transform this nation into heaven.  

Famous film director Anubhav Sinha, Founder-Chairman AIFF Organizing Committee Nandkishor Kagliwal, Vice-Chancellor of MGM University Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Festival Director Ashok Rane, Artistic Director Chandrakant Kulkarni, Convener Nilesh Raut, Poet Dasu Vaidya and a large number of film enthusiasts and citizens were present on this occasion. 

R. Balki’s Masterclass received overwhelming response from the audience

Along with the screening of many acclaimed films, an interesting line of events were also organized on the second day of the 9th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival. This also included a Masterclass by R. Balki, Director of films like Paa, Chini Kam, Ghumar, Shamitabh and Padman. The Masterclass received an overwhelming response from aspiring students of filmmaking, film enthusiasts and film lovers. The Masterclass was moderated by Director Dyanesh Zoting. Before that R Balki's film Ghumar was screened.

Mumbai, Dec 2 (IANS) Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, who is known for his work in ‘Sholay’, ‘Border’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Don’, ‘Lakshya’ and others, has crafted the lyrics for the song ‘Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se’ from the upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Dunki’.

The veteran artiste shared that unlike many songs where the melody is created first and the lyricists are asked to write to the tune, he was requested by music composer Pritam to write the lyrics first for the tune that he would compose later in the creative process.

The makers of ‘Dunki’ released ‘Dunki Drop 3’ in the form of ‘Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se’ crooned beautifully by another veteran Sonu Nigam. The senior lyricist and Sonu have earlier collaborated on ‘Sandese Aate Hain’ from ‘Border’ which had similar elements in its structure of yearning and nostalgia.

Describing the creative process, Javed Akhtar said, "In this film, I have only one song and interestingly, Raju Hirani played a pivotal role in ensuring that we included this song, and he specifically requested me to write it. I hope you will enjoy the song, as it is unique due to its distinct situation”.

He further mentioned, “Typically, I write the lyrics after the tune is composed, but Pritam generously suggested that I write the song first, and he would compose the music accordingly, and he did a fantastic and brilliant job with it.”

‘Dunki’, helmed by superstar director Rajkumar Hirani, also stars Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover.

A JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Rajkumar Hirani Films presentation, produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Gauri Khan, the film is written by Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani, and Kanika Dhillon.

‘Dunki’ is set to arrive in cinemas on December 21, 2023.

Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS) After his 'kick-ass performance' in Pakistan recently, five National Awards winner poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar has suddenly become the new hero of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and others, including those nursing a grudge against him for long.

Attending the famed two-day Faiz Festival in Lahore, the Mumbai celeb known for his loose-fitting colourful kurta-pyjama-chappals and the occasional tints, delivered a gentle 'kick' to Pak on the home-turf - which hit hard.

During a question-answer session at the fest, Akhtar was posed an innocuous query on how to change India's perception of Pakistan - and the 78-year-old guest jumped to score a goal in the hearts of Indians - much to the chagrin of his hosts.

Urging for cooperation between the two nations, he said it would help the entire region prosper and named other regions in the world that have progressed with partnerships.

"But we in Mumbai have seen the attacks (of 26/11, 2008). Those attackers didn't come from Norway or they didn't land from Egypt... They are still roaming freely in your country," Akhtar said to a loud round of claps and cheers from the audience.

Shiv Sena (UT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that for making a statement like Akhtar did, needs "guts" and he deserves to be appreciated by all political parties and leaders.

"He showed them their place in their own land... Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah had made tall claims after the surgical strike (September 2016) as if Pakistan was wiped off the world map. They should commend Akhtar for his statements," Raut said.

Political commentator and former Director of Operations in the PMO Sudheendra Kulkarni lauded Akhtar's remarks and fully stood by the poet - who is now being targetted in Pakistan.

"I fully support him for speaking the truth about Pakistan to the Pakistanis on their soil... Now, it's upto Pakistan to introspect on it," Kulkarni declared.

Shiv Sena (UBT) National Spokesperson Kishore Tiwari hailed Akhtar for his courageous words and said he had "thrown the reality on the faces of Pakistanis in their own land".

"We Indians have always welcomed Pakistan artistes, cricketers and celebs, but the same is rarely reciprocated. Akhtar's comments are like a slap in the face for those in India who have been questioning his patriotic credentials and they should now apologise to him," demanded Tiwari.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto said Akhtar's observations indicate a positive trend that artists are standing up boldly for the country.

"Poets are taking a bold stand while politicians and those in the government, whose duty it is to take a firm stance, are being diplomatic," said Crasto.

Congress state General Secretary Sachin Sawant took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) without taking names, saying that "his (Akhtar's) courage to show the mirror to Pakistan on its soil is a valorous move and not just cutting a cake".

A prominent India-Pakistan peace activist Jatin Desai said Akhtar has the courage to call a spade by its name as he comes from a family of freedom fighters.

"Through his statement, he made it clear that people of both nations crave for peace and communal amity. We need to differentiate between the ordinary Pakistani, the establishment and the Pakistan state. People there are tired of rising militancy and religious extremism. That they want to live in peace was amply clear by the applause to Akhtar's remarks," Desai pointed out.

Even Bollywood heroine Kangana Ranaut paused to say: "Ghar me ghuss ke mara.. Ha ha." (He barged into their home and hammered them, Ha Ha)".

Ranaut, herself a National Award winner actress, then extolled Akhtar's poetry, comparing them with the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, his sincerity and how the divine forces are with him.

For good measure Akhtar added how Indians have always hosted huge functions of Pakistani artistes like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Mehndi Hassan, "but there was no concert of (the late) Lata Mangeshkar in Pakistan".

"Hence, if we harbour this grouse against your country, you should not feel offended. But there's no point blaming each other now," he added gently.

Nevertheless, after his public utterances, the much-honoured guest has suddenly become a hounded ghoul in Pakistan with many celebs slamming Akhtar and even blaming the organisers for inviting him there.