Javed Akhtar

Renowned script writer, lyricist, poet and activist, Javed Akhtar is the recipient of two of India’s highest civilian honors – the Padma Shri (1999) and the Padma Bhushan (2007). He received the Dostoevsky Star Award in 2025. Known for his contribution to Hindi cinema leading to 15 Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist and Best Screenwriter and five National Awards for Best Lyricist, he is also the recipient of several honorary doctorates including one from SOAS, University of London. His first collection of poetry Tarkash is in its 21st edition in Hindi and 9th edition in Urdu. It has been translated into English, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi and recently in French. His books Talking Films and Talking Songs have been hailed by film critics as the most definitive works on Indian Cinema and are in the libraries of major Ivy League Universities. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament by the President of India in 2010. He is the architect of the Copyright Amendment Bill that has finally given copyright royalties to writers and music directors.