Veteran lyricist, screenwriter and poet Javed Akhtar has once again found himself responding to online criticism after sharing his views on the former US President Donald Trump. Known for expressing his opinions fearlessly on social and political issues, Akhtar recently criticized Trump’s comments about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, sparking a new debate on social media.Bringing X, Javed Akhtar questioned Trump’s claim that Meloni “asked” him for a photo. In a strong reaction, he wrote, “Trump, who is known for lying every day, has added one more to his endless list of lies.”
Javed Akhtar questions what Trump said to Giorgia Meloni
The acclaimed writer continues to defend the Italian leader, arguing that there is little reason for a prominent global figure like Meloni to seek validation from Trump.“First of all, why would a confident, high-profile, popular, and empowered woman, who is the PM of a great country like Italy, which teaches so much culture, art, architecture, and good cinema to Mr. Trump’s country, ask for a photo-opp with the most unpopular person in the world,” Akhtar wrote.He added that even if such a request is made, public boasting about it is inappropriate. “What kind of cheap, rude, rude person would admit this in a press conference?”
The Troll brings religion into the conversation
While many users engaged with Akhtar’s political observations, one social media user tried to shift the discussion to religion. Responding to his post, the individual referenced Akhtar’s supposed religious identity and wrote a comment directed at what he described as the writer’s “community.”The comment prompted an immediate response from Akhtar, once again clarifying a position he has consistently maintained for decades.
Javed Akhtar says: “I am an atheist”
Stopping the religious explanation, Akhtar reminded the user that he does not subscribe to any faith and identifies as an atheist. “If your little small and backward mind can understand a known fact that I am an atheist (perhaps you are not familiar with this word. It means one who does not believe in any religion), then do not tell me about my qaum (community). My qaum are all Indians, including you,” he replied.The response quickly gained attention online, with many users praising the veteran writer for strongly reiterating his longstanding stance on religion and identity.The exchange did not end there. Another user advised Akhtar to stay away from political commentary altogether, suggesting that he should focus solely on songwriting. “Keep quiet and irrelevant. Politics is not your cup of tea. Stick to writing songs,” commented the user.Akhtar answered quickly. “Go fly a kite. What qualifications do you have to give me this unsolicited advice? Who are you and what have you done with your life?” he shot back.
Javed Akhtar’s career goes beyond cinema
Although widely celebrated for writing songs and screenplays for iconic films like ‘Sholay’, ‘Deewaar’, ‘Don’, ‘Mr. India’, ‘Zanjeer’, and ‘Lakshya’, Javed Akhtar’s contributions have gone beyond the entertainment industry.The: Padma Bhushan The recipient served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha between 2010 and 2016 and remains an active voice in public discourse. In 2020, he also became the first Indian to receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award, recognizing his commitment to rationalism, secular values, and critical thinking.His latest exchange on social media serves as another reminder that Akhtar continues to speak his mind unapologetically, whether the discussion revolves around politics, religion, or public life.