Writing
Javed Akhtar
Born 1945-01-17
Department: Writing
Biography
Javed Akhtar (born 17 January 1945) is an Indian screenwriter, lyricist and poet. Known for his work in Hindi cinema, he has won five National Film Awards, and received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007, two of India's highest civilian honours. He is considered as one of the greatest screenwriters in the history of Hindi Cinema. Akhtar came to recognition in the duo Salim–Javed, and earned his breakthrough as a screenwriter with 1973's Zanjeer. He went on to write the films Deewaar and Sholay, both released in 1975; they earned a cult following, and had a significant impact in popular culture. He later earned praise for his work as a lyricist, winning the National Film Award for Best Lyrics five times and the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist eight times.
Known For
Prominent works featuring Javed Akhtar
Movie
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3 Idiots
2009
TMDB4.0
Movie
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Swades
2004
TMDB3.6
Movie
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Sholay
1975
TMDB3.5
Movie
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Don
2006
TMDB3.5
TV
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Indian Idol
2004
TMDB2.9
Movie
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Jodhaa Akbar
2008
TMDB3.6
TV
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Koffee with Karan
2004
TMDB3.0
Movie
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Bareilly Ki Barfi
2017
TMDB3.5
Movie
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Wake Up Sid
2009
TMDB3.6
Movie
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Dil Dhadakne Do
2015
TMDB3.5
Filmography & Credits
Complete career catalog (149 titles)
| Poster | Title | Character / Role | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Batwara 1947 | Lyricist | Movie | 2026 |
 | Governor | Lyricist | Movie | 2026 |
 | Border 2 | Lyricist | Movie | 2026 |
 | 120 Bahadur | Lyricist | Movie | 2025 |
| Masala Chai with Rahul Mahajan | Self | TV Series | 2025 | |
 | Superboys of Malegaon | Lyricist | Movie | 2025 |
 | The Roshans | Self | TV Series | 2025 |
 | Yudhra | Lyricist | Movie | 2024 |
 | Angry Young Men | Self | TV Series | 2024 |
 | Bad Newz | Lyricist | Movie | 2024 |
 | Kho Gaye Hum Kahan | Lyricist | Movie | 2023 |
 | Dunki | Lyricist | Movie | 2023 |
 | The Archies | Lyricist | Movie | 2023 |
 | Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal | Self / Appearance | Movie | 2022 |
 | Mili | Lyricist | Movie | 2022 |
| The Master: Shyam Benegal | Himself | Movie | 2022 | |
 | India Shayari Project | Self | Movie | 2021 |
 | Toofaan | Lyricist | Movie | 2021 |
 | Panga | Lyricist | Movie | 2020 |
 | Panipat | Lyricist | Movie | 2019 |
 | Namaste England | Lyricist | Movie | 2018 |
 | Gold | Dialogue | Movie | 2018 |
 | Bird of Dusk | (archival footage) | Movie | 2018 |
 | Manto | Abid Ali Abid | Movie | 2018 |
 | TED Talks India | Self | TV Series | 2017 |
 | Tumhari Sulu | Lyricist | Movie | 2017 |
 | Bareilly Ki Barfi | Narrator | Movie | 2017 |
 | Hanuman Da Damdaar | Valmiki (voice) | Movie | 2017 |
 | Mohenjo Daro | Lyricist | Movie | 2016 |
 | Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema | Self | Movie | 2015 |
 | All Night Long | Translator | Movie | 2015 |
 | Dil Dhadakne Do | Dialogue | Movie | 2015 |
 | Shamitabh | Self | Movie | 2015 |
 | Jai Ho | self | Movie | 2014 |
 | Nautanki Saala! | Lyricist | Movie | 2013 |
 | Ekk Deewana Tha | Lyricist | Movie | 2012 |
 | Force | Musical | Movie | 2011 |
 | The Story of Film: An Odyssey | Self | TV Series | 2011 |
 | Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey | Lyricist | Movie | 2010 |
 | Aisha | Screenplay | Movie | 2010 |
 | Karthik Calling Karthik | Lyricist | Movie | 2010 |
 | 3 Idiots | Thanks | Movie | 2009 |
 | Main Aurr Mrs Khanna | Lyricist | Movie | 2009 |
 | Wake Up Sid | Lyricist | Movie | 2009 |
 | Billa | Original Story | Movie | 2009 |
 | Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye | Judge 1 | Movie | 2009 |
 | Luck by Chance | Self | Movie | 2009 |
| Luck by Chance | Dialogue | Movie | 2009 |
 | Jodhaa Akbar | Lyricist | Movie | 2008 |
 | Billa | Original Story | Movie | 2007 |
 | Marigold | Lyricist | Movie | 2007 |
 | Umrao Jaan | Lyricist | Movie | 2006 |
 | Don | Screenplay | Movie | 2006 |
 | Swades | Lyricist | Movie | 2004 |
 | Koffee with Karan | Self | TV Series | 2004 |
 | Indian Idol | Judge | TV Series | 2004 |
| Indian Idol | Self | TV Series | 2004 |
 | Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... | Lyricist | Movie | 2004 |
 | Lakshya | Screenplay | Movie | 2004 |
| Lakshya | Story | Movie | 2004 |
| Lakshya | Dialogue | Movie | 2004 |
 | Supari | Lyricist | Movie | 2003 |
 | Armaan | Screenplay | Movie | 2003 |
| Armaan | Dialogue | Movie | 2003 |
| Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai | Himself | TV Series | 2002 | |
 | Aalavandhan | Lyricist | Movie | 2001 |
 | Little John | Lyricist | Movie | 2001 |
 | Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya | Lyricist | Movie | 2000 |
 | Gaja Gamini | Additional Soundtrack | Movie | 2000 |
 | Kaun Banega Crorepati | Self | TV Series | 2000 |
| Railway Coolie | Original Story | Movie | 2000 | |
 | Baadshah | Lyricist | Movie | 1999 |
 | Bada Din | Lyricist | Movie | 1998 |
 | Jeans | Lyricist | Movie | 1998 |
 | Kabhi Na Kabhi | Story | Movie | 1998 |
| Kabhi Na Kabhi | Dialogue | Movie | 1998 |
| Kabhi Na Kabhi | Lyricist | Movie | 1998 |
 | Yes Boss | Lyricist | Movie | 1997 |
 | Border | Lyricist | Movie | 1997 |
 | Prem | Writer | Movie | 1995 |
 | 1942: A Love Story | Lyricist | Movie | 1994 |
 | Gardish | Musical | Movie | 1993 |
 | Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja | Screenplay | Movie | 1993 |
| Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja | Story | Movie | 1993 |
 | Khel | Writer | Movie | 1992 |
 | Jhoothi Shaan | Screenplay | Movie | 1991 |
 | Main Azaad Hoon | Writer | Movie | 1989 |
 | Jai Karnataka | Story | Movie | 1989 |
 | Follow That Star - Amitabh Bachchan | Self / Appearance | Movie | 1989 |
 | Joshilaay | Screenplay | Movie | 1989 |
| Joshilaay | Story | Movie | 1989 |
| Joshilaay | Dialogue | Movie | 1989 |
 | Yuddha Kaanda | Story | Movie | 1989 |
 | Sathya | Original Story | Movie | 1988 |
 | Mr. India | Writer | Movie | 1987 |
| Mr. India | Songs | Movie | 1987 |
 | Dacait | Writer | Movie | 1987 |
 | Sobharaj | Original Story | Movie | 1986 |
 | Mr. Bharath | Original Story | Movie | 1986 |
 | Zamana | Writer | Movie | 1985 |
 | Meri Jung | Writer | Movie | 1985 |
 | Saagar | Dialogue | Movie | 1985 |
| Saagar | Story | Movie | 1985 |
| Saagar | Screenplay | Movie | 1985 |
 | Arjun | Screenplay | Movie | 1985 |
| Arjun | Story | Movie | 1985 |
 | Duniya | Writer | Movie | 1984 |
| Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare | Original Story | Movie | 1983 | |
 | Sattam | Original Story | Movie | 1983 |
 | Shakti | Writer | Movie | 1982 |
 | Saath Saath | Songs | Movie | 1982 |
 | Savaal | Original Story | Movie | 1981 |
 | Kranti | Writer | Movie | 1981 |
 | Thee | Original Story | Movie | 1981 |
 | Shaan | Writer | Movie | 1980 |
 | Polladhavan | Original Story | Movie | 1980 |
 | Dostana | Writer | Movie | 1980 |
 | Billa | Original Story | Movie | 1980 |
 | Yugandhar | Original Story | Movie | 1979 |
| Naan Vazhavaippen | Original Story | Movie | 1979 | |
 | Kaala Patthar | Writer | Movie | 1979 |
 | Don | Screenplay | Movie | 1978 |
| Don | Writer | Movie | 1978 |
| Don | Dialogue | Movie | 1978 |
 | Trishul | Dialogue | Movie | 1978 |
| Trishul | Story | Movie | 1978 |
| Trishul | Screenplay | Movie | 1978 |
 | Immaan Dharam | Writer | Movie | 1977 |
 | Raja Nanna Raja | Story | Movie | 1976 |
 | Magaadu | Writer | Movie | 1976 |
 | Premada Kanike | Story | Movie | 1976 |
 | Sholay | Writer | Movie | 1975 |
 | Aakhri Daao | Writer | Movie | 1975 |
| Naalai Namadhe | Original Story | Movie | 1975 | |
 | Annadammula Anubandham | Original Story | Movie | 1975 |
 | Deewaar | Writer | Movie | 1975 |
 | Majboor | Writer | Movie | 1974 |
 | Nippulanti Manishi | Writer | Movie | 1974 |
 | Haath Ki Safai | Dialogue | Movie | 1974 |
| Haath Ki Safai | Screenplay | Movie | 1974 |
 | Vani Rani | Story | Movie | 1974 |
 | Zanjeer | Writer | Movie | 1973 |
 | Yaadon Ki Baaraat | Writer | Movie | 1973 |
| Yaadon Ki Baaraat | Screenplay | Movie | 1973 |
| Yaadon Ki Baaraat | Story | Movie | 1973 |
 | Seeta and Geeta | Writer | Movie | 1972 |
 | Haathi Mere Saathi | Screenplay | Movie | 1971 |
 | Yakeen | Dialogue | Movie | 1969 |
 | Don 3 | Lyricist | Movie | — |