In an interview, Javed Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar discussed cinema and the art of storytelling. The veteran lyricist and screenwriter shared his thoughts on how female characters are portrayed in films and reflected on contemporary society's evolving understanding of women.
Javed Akhtar, discussing contemporary morality in storytelling, remarked, “When society is clear about its morals and aspirations, great writing and roles emerge. Characters like Meena Kumari in ‘Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulam’, Nargis in ‘Mother India’, and Waheeda Rehman in ‘Guide’ reflect this. But when morality is unclear, issues arise.”
He continued, “Take Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit—both were immensely talented, yet they didn’t get a defining role, not because of any opposition, but because society was uncertain about the modern woman. We’re still searching for that clarity. The only contemporary woman I’ve truly seen is in Zoya’s films, though she finds it embarrassing when I praise her.”
Javed Akhtar recently appeared in the documentary series ‘Angry Young Men’, which explores his cinematic journey with Salim Khan. Directed by Namrata Rao, the series highlights their collaboration, which produced 22 blockbusters out of 24 films. It also delves into their eventual split. The show features insights from Zoya and Farhan Akhtar, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, and other celebrities.
