"Been Called A Jihadi" I Javed Akhtar on being an "Atheist Muslim", Urdu, UCC & Animal, The Film

#javedakhtar #barkhadutt #animalmovie
Barkha Dutt speaks Film Writer - Lyricist - Poet, Javed Akhtar in the 47th episode of our podcast, 'Inside Out'. Javed Akhtar 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 honors. Akhtar gained recognition as part of the duo Salim-Javed, and achieved breakthrough success as a screenwriter with 1973's Zanjeer. He went on to write the films Deewaar and Sholay, both released in 1975. Later, he garnered 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. Notably, Akhtar campaigned for the Communist Party of India (CPI) and their candidate in the 2019 Indian general election and served as a member of parliament in the Rajya Sabha. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Richard Dawkins Award in 2020.
Catch him in candid and most heartfelt conversation with Barkha Dutt. From dealing with the critics from both left and right to his identity as an "atheist muslim" , he takes you on a personal journey which reminds him of his young days when he had no food to eat for three days straight. You don't want to miss this conversation.
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Disclaimer: The views of guests who appear on Mojo Story, as well as the views of interviewees or speeches by public figures or those in the news, are their personal opinions. At no point do they reflect the views of the organization.

[@ManjunathBangalore20]

The Secularism Of Javed Akhtar : The story related to the film Deewar written by Javed Akhtar is familiar. The hero of the film is a Hindu, an atheist who hates the Hindu religion so much that he doesn't set foot on even the stairs of the temple. He doesn't even touch God's prasad. But the same atheist Hindu hero, has an Islamic religious symbol, the number 786 billa on his arm which he deeply believes in! It's the same billa saves his life when a bullet hits him.

[@trulyyoursish]

True dat

[@wanderingmystic6968]

Manjunath.. sorry to offer a comment. Hope you don’t mind. Just a small input. If you notice the Vijay character played by Amitabh doesn’t know the significance of the no 786. He is oblivious till Rahim Chacha, head porter played by the late Yunus Pervez explains to him its relevance for the Muslims. Vinay hears it and takes notice. He is neither enamoured or unfazed. He simply registers it. It is a sheer coincidence it protects him from a bullet attack. And he appears to be one sentimental to it and then in the end trying g to retrieve it, gets killed. It is all writing for a movie to cater to different segments of the audience like politicians do. Javed is Muslim and he has no affinity to his religion of birth or any religion. It is alright. How does it matter. By beating the chest as a ram bhakt or Allah ke bhande, the world doesnt change. It is also the greatness of one’s action which is transformational and useful to mankind is what matters.

[@SK-hg3pt]

​@@wanderingmystic6968You should lecture all of this to jehadi minded people.

[@bw8026]

😂😂😂

[@trulyyoursish]

@@wanderingmystic6968 The fact that he is an atheist and then starts believing in mumbo jumbo is contradictory.

[@YaSh-uz9go]

You can be atheist hindu but not athesist muslim. There are only muslim and non muslim in india.

[@kunals8022]

Exactly There are no inviolable dogmas in Sanatana and besides it's a cultural identity You can be an atheist and yet a Sanatani.

[@AjitJoshi686]

Nastik Hindu is different than atheist Hindu 😂😂😂😂. Atheist is like anti Dharmic . Nastik is not anti Dharma.

[@ankitSharma43825]

​@@AjitJoshi686 Educate Yourself sir .🙏🏻 Because in Sanskrit *"Astik" means those people who believe in "Existence",,,that is "Believers"* Whereas *"Nastik" are those who doesn't believe in "Existence" that is "Non-believers"* . So Atheists are the Non-believers.... *All Atheists will not be Anti-dharmic,,,,, because Most appropriate English meaning for the word"Dharm" is "Righteousness"* .

[@wanderingmystic6968]

@@kunals8022You said it Kunal. I believe in the sanatana way of life but I don’t follow any Hindu customs or Gods. Not that I despise those beliefs but I am A man of conscience and shaped by own experiences and pursuit of truth. True to the Sanskrit adage “ Ekam Sad Vipra Bahudha Vadanti - One truth many ways to attain it”.

[@user-qd7xz2go6y]

he can be whatever he wants, its his life, his identity, who are you to dictate terms? stop using theology for your own convenience.

[@sayedhusain9318]

There is nothing wrong being liberal. The issue is the pseudo liberism who uses this for their benefit.

[@urrasscal8380]

javed is insulting iislamb by calling himself athiest mmoslim ... there is a term for this kind of people in iislamb and that is munafik .

[@trulyyoursish]

@@urrasscal8380Kafir?

[@nirvanabliss73]

matlab?

[@wanderingmystic6968]

@@urrasscal8380Names can be several Sir. He doesn’t believe in religion which he confesses. And he is a Muslim by birth. With this truth in what way is it affecting anyone. One can accept it or ignore it. Doesn’t matter at all

[@urrasscal8380]

@@wanderingmystic6968 when u say mosslim then iislamb does not allow u to be atheist. I think u don't know anything about iislamic jurisprudence , jjaved don't have any personal choice in this rreligion he is an atheist so he needs to be k.....d acc. to iislamb.. thus mmosslim atheist is an oxymmoron term.

[@ranand089]

athiest muslim is paradox...it is like saying I am black white lol

[@vishakhabharti1443]

He explained that portion. That being Muslim is part of his identity and he can’t really change it. But may be it went above your head?!?!

[@elborrador333]

@@vishakhabharti1443 He has many identities such as geriatric, hakla, convert, homo sapien etc. He could've said he is an atheist but he chose to say he is atheist muslim. That gives his agenda away.

[@hellothere-qp8zj]

​@@elborrador333its not an agenda....other examples that you gave such as homosapien etc are not as relevent in day to day life as religion. People like you who are so obsessed with religious identity makes it almost impossible for a rational atheist like him to shed away his muslim identity. Its a paradox that requires the nuanced understanding of socio cultural aspects of the society. For example one can be an atheist but what about the name....a Javed no matter his religious beliefs will always be a muslim no matter he follws the tenets of the religion or not.

[@vishakhabharti1443]

@@elborrador333 There is no agenda. Religion unfortunately is like Caste, you can't ever get rid of it until you convert to another religion. Even if you don't believe in caste, it remains with you. He said that in a certain context and to explain his this very point. Please broaden your thinking. It is sad that people find issues even with the most liberal and rationals of muslims (or in this case an atheist).

[@elborrador333]

@@hellothere-qp8zjIt's not me who is obsessed with religious identity, it is Muslims like him who are. What society is doing today around the world is simply responding.

[@prahladdsharma3672]

Javed akhtar has triple and multiple standards of projecting hindus and muslims through his movies

[@nirvanabliss73]

how so? pls explain

[@Learner_being]

Dual standard. He made movie that show peaceful as peaceful, daring, truth ful people but Hindu as hating their own religion 😢

[@gethulked101]

WTF is an atheist Muslim? Atheist Hindu does make sense but atheist muslim? You simply cannot call yourself a muslim if you don't believe in God, more specifically, Allah.

[@Sanjhi_Mitti]

Itna pyara interview tha aur tujhe bas yehi dikha. Bimar hai aap.

[@ErikBerg666]

​@@Sanjhi_Mitti Off course, we will focus on his identity because he use this misnomer term as credibility and it important to focus because the interviewer also felt it is important to put in the start of video as highlight point. The term "Athiest Muslim" is a misnomer and typical Al-Taquiya (deception) to fool people. Give me one reference of verse from Quran, Tafasir (commentary) by Islamic scholar gaints or from any Haddith (whether Sahih, Hasan or Zaif) or from the Sira (Biography) of Muhammad. He won't be able to produce one because there is none mentioned a concept of "Atheist Muslim" in any fiqh(jurisprudence) of Islam - Sunni (Hanafi, Hanabali, Malaiki, Shafi) or Shia (Seveners, Tewelvers, Jafferi etc)

[@elborrador333]

These people are good at giving themselves certificates like atheist, rationalist, liberal, human right activist. Underneath the cover their goal is only Hindu bashing.

[@jatinderbhan]

I suppose you can be a cultural Muslim, maintaining social relations with believing family and friends, celebrate festivals, etc. But this may be a privilege available only to celebrities like Javed Akhter because of his status. An average Muslim would be at best ostracized and at worst he would be killed for apostacy. So, this whole discussion is redundant....

[@leadershiplessons9225]

@@Sanjhi_Mitti Our nation is afflicted with this sickness. We're not far from the day when Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's interviews will be looked through a religious lens.

[@user-gh9jr4pl2q]

Akhtar is not an atheist. He, Shabana, his son daughter etc who claim to be atheist continue to falsely equate Islam and Hinduism. That lack of perspective shows their compulsion to be an apologist for Islam only by targeting Hinduism. Anyone who equates burka to a mangalsutra or a kalawa is intellectually deceptive.

[@Gannu_Maharaj]

100

[@allahbakhshsahib7763]

My dear, it is very common even in Pakistan that you will find one or two persons in every second Muslim family in Pakistan either atheist or agnostic. Don't get influenced by Pak media and its state narrative. And that there no concept of 'Taqia' among any Muslim but may be in Mullas. This term I first heard in the Indian media as a counter argument. Being an atheist doesn't mean you boycott the local traditions, celebrations and ceremonies.

[@Dk-uh4no]

@@allahbakhshsahib7763moslum atheist is an oxymoron!

[@allahbakhshsahib7763]

@@Dk-uh4no There is nothing wrong introducing new social terms. I'm atheist and people around me know me as a Pakistani Muslim.

[@Dk-uh4no]

@@allahbakhshsahib7763 ex-moslim is a better term! Atheist moslim sounds more like a person driven by political motives of Islam but not the spiritual ones!

[@ErikBerg666]

Tell me a joke: I am a vegan non-vegetarian. Tell me a better joke: I am an Athiest Muslim 😂😂

[@Udayzeus]

I am a real bhoot 😜😜😜😜

[@Messicity469]

Bloody trolls!

[@hindustani5904]

atheist muslim means one who doesnot apply rationalism to Islam

[@Ritesh-rj1sp]

He is the most cunning jihadi in Bollywood followed by nasiruddin Shah Amir Khan They earn from Hindus and abuse Hindus

[@hindurashtra63]

If he is comfortable with his Logic, Why does it bother you ?

[@DharmendraRaiMindMap]

Rationality offers a serenity that most humans will never experience

[@MichToJoshya]

so he is communal muslim, not necessarily religious ... do you know who else was similar ? Junnah !

[@dhananjaypatil3116]

Javed Akhtarji is one of the wisest Indian living. Always great pleasure to listen to him. Never can get tired of listening to his anecdotes, witty remarks, his life experiences, perspectives

[@anukamath3388]

Why is his sons and daughters name Islamic if he’s an atheist…..

[@leadershiplessons9225]

Shaheed Bhagat Singh is an atheist. What has name to do with it?

[@anukamath3388]

@@leadershiplessons9225 he might be an atheist , his parents might not be …. Hence he has a name reflecting his community

[@aadiraj-jx8xj]

Akhtar is super FAKE person on planet. He is on mission to convert HINDU not MUSLIM S.

[@leadershiplessons9225]

@@anukamath3388 You are right sister, but my point is that names have no bearing on religion. Atheists born in Christianity often name their son John or daughter Anna, even if these are biblical names. Atheists born in Hinduism could name their children Indira (like Nehru did) or Sandip (like Satyajit Ray did). So Javed saab could be atheist and still give islamic names.

[@pritesh0117]

@@leadershiplessons9225 But, if you are an atheist, you would think they would disassociate themselves from any identity associated with Islam even if it is symbolic (e.g., naming their children).

[@mayam4487]

Sad to see Barkha lied openly about the Animal scenes to prove a feminist point. The correct version is that the heroine slaps the husband right back. And regarding the shoe licking scene, (which did not happen anyway), had nothing to do with male/female but was about punishing a dangerous spy. Shame on Barkha!!

[@indiantiger6313]

What can you expect from a presstitute?

[@ritachaudhri7711]

MuhammadAli Zinnah was also not a religious muslim but a political ad social muslim. The type of agitation this fellow shows if religious identity of a muslim is challenged in favour of nationalism, he is a hard core political muslim.

[@atulmalhotra2303]

Zinnah ?

[@urrasscal8380]

@@atulmalhotra2303 u don't know who is jinnah .??.. man u r a perfect example of a naive librandu.

[@ErikBerg666]

@@atulmalhotra2303 Yes, Zinnah 😜 because Jinnah was born out of Zinna (arabic for adultery) hence Zinnah.

[@rajatverma3085]

When Manto was leaving India after 1947 his friends asked him why are you leaving you don't even consider yourself a muslim, he replied, "इतना तो हूँ ही कि मारा जा सकूँ ।" It doesn't matter whether you believe in your religion or not if you are born in it your identity can never be detached from you. That's what Javed Sahab is trying to explain.

[@user-nd4wl2lf2u]

Jinnah not zinnah you fool

[@amitprasad1298]

Why don't you ask him why his son and daughter only attend awards if they get nominated and win. According to Shekhar Gupta he even spoke to him about this and didn't reprimand his kids.

[@imgn8r715]

His children are adults and make their own decisions. Why would she ask him about the decisions of his grown-up children?

[@amitprasad1298]

I just find it incredible that he didn't intervene when such a respected journalist asked him to convince his kids not to boycott the awards. I'm not expecting her to ask her. But I just wanted to point it out.

[@amitprasad1298]

Google or KZbin for video or article - it's a dirty picture (the print) by Shekhar Gupta. The irony is that Javed Akhtar is so outspoken and preacher of ethics in Bollywood.

[@trulyyoursish]

What does that have to do with religion?

[@jaguaratama]

"I am so thankful to Life" this reveals the glitch in the self proclaimed atheist...as if there is life...there is a creator 👌

[@kishankumar9474]

“But those who are faithless and deny Our signs, they shall be the inmates of the Fire and they shall remain in it forever” (Q 2:39)

[@Dk-uh4no]

Moslum is someone who reads the kalma -“there is no god but alha” if lather does not believe in alha he is either not a moslum or he is playing taqqiya

[@simonandrews5256]

Javed is just doing Takiyya, nothing else 😊

[@bw8026]

Right

[@shirshendughosh5900]

Javed is a very shrewd person, he enjoys the support of Pakistanis and Pakistani mindset people of India and his only aim is to dismantle the Hindus and Indic civilisation….

[@allahbakhshsahib7763]

Come on man, My dear, it is very common even in Pakistan that you will find one or two persons in every second Muslim family in Pakistan either atheist or agnostic. Don't get influenced by Pak media and its state narrative. And that there no concept of 'Taqia' among any Muslim but may be in Mullas. This term I first heard in the Indian media as a counter argument. Being an atheist doesn't mean you boycott the local traditions, celebrations and ceremonies.

[@rocketshoot3027]

Do you have something good to do?

[@Ritesh-rj1sp]

Shirshendu Javed is burnt because he can't spread hate and jokes on Hindus like he used to do before

[@sumedhd90]

"I am a non-violent murderer."😂😂

[@chaitanyakada1341]

Javed and Burka are convinced that Hindus are fools.

[@MonilModi10]

Namaz on road is not even acceptable in Pakistan 😂😂 And she calls herself a journalist 🙃🙃

[@sabrinakhan8217]

Kicking in nutts from behind is not acceptable

[@subhashkomy]

I love Javed Akhtar and Anu Malik. They are the legendary personality of India. God Bless you Javed Ji

[@kanishkachitale9061]

Very even handed and rational person. Would love to meet him in person

[@SunitaSingh-fp8kw]

What a Class he has....& what a brilliant Man.....I am his great admirer....❤❤🎉🎉

[@manisherande4568]

Me tooo

[@poorvasharma8807]

What a beautiful conversation. His reminisces of his struggling days, esp when he talks about being without food for days made me remeber the Pianist. Gosh what a cinematic masterpiece showing the sheer vulnerability of what it really means to be human

[@urrasscal8380]

athiest mmoslim is oxymoron.

[@labonichowdhury]

This guy contradicts his statements being atheist or agnostic. He says one cannot be half pregnant but again he says he is an atheist muslim??? When there is no term as such.

[@ec1014]

Javed sahab fate is sar tan se juda in Islam but still he is unable to talk against such principles of his “athiest” creed.

[@adityaprakashdevdogra8657]

Enjoyable as usual. Thanks

[@abusidd985]

Without judging his religious beliefs, he spoke logic on some matters, overall he appeared to have spoken from his heart!

[@moviemango143]

Still atheist muslim🙄🙄??

[@anilkesavan273]

Brilliant Javed Saheb

[@TheAzmmt]

It's always a treat to listen to this man, truly deserving.

[@NinjaThinker]

It was beautiful he express himself so well man of lots of words❤ from Lahore

[@trulyyoursish]

For all the doubts in my mind as well, I think if we know if his son was circumcised or not might confirm what he’s saying. And It is on one’s belief. Javed can’t tell us if Urdu is our language. It’s not mine.

[@Ritesh-rj1sp]

Only Shibani dandekar can verify 😂😂

[@trulyyoursish]

@@Ritesh-rj1sp 😂

[@trulyyoursish]

@@Ritesh-rj1sp or the exes.

[@pritesh0117]

As a believer, I welcome atheist ‘voice’/thought-process in India! We need to respect each other! ❤

[@Ritesh-rj1sp]

He is not atheist He is biggest cunning Islamist followed by nasiruddin Shah and amir khan

[@nv9991]

He is a great asset to this nation. An extraordinary artist who made India culturally rich.

[@manisherande4568]

I agree ... he is fearleess lion ....

[@mtarkes]

A mediocre artist who rode on Bollywood Muslim nepotism ecosystem to rise above talented writers.

[@trulyyoursish]

@@mtarkesTrue. Overrated.

[@user-vd4xw1ll4v]

Loved the conversation !

[@horseridingwithme5168]

Very nice and straight from heart interview

[@user-kl6mg3vr6o]

Atheist Muslim??? Really? So many years of experience as public personality. The intellectuals have come up as Atheist Muslim.

[@bcvan9999]

An atheist muslim is an oxymoron. It is okay to say such things in India but Javed sab is better off to keep quiet in Talibanistan (aka Afghanistan).

[@Liam-yo5ex]

Thanks Javed sahab I may not agree with your each of the statement but definitely you are a brilliant person

[@juliuspackiam]

Great Interview Barkha !!! Please work on the audio quality too... it is very important ! Cheers !!!

[@nabeelahmedmirajkar2446]

I'm glad you are so thankful to God who has given you so much as you claim 🙃

[@subhsubhash2000]

When he claims he is an atheist , where did you hear tht he thanked God for wat?

[@nv9991]

I will never expect Barkha to ask hard questions to people from the old ecosystem. But this man is wrong on language issues. 1) How did Urdu become the language of the Islamic nation if the language belonged to Land? No region in Pakistan had Urdu as its native language. 2) There are Maharashtra government-funded 1000s of Urdu schools. Why Maharashtra government is funding Urdu schools and not Oriya schools or Bengali schools? There are Kannada government-funded 1000s of Urdu schools. Why Kannada government is funding Urdu schools and not Oriya schools or Bengali schools? Why are Urdu schools in Maharashtra and Kannada located in areas where Muslims are dominant?

[@bbhaipradeep]

It means Nani of Respected Javed was very intellectual and a lady of modern ideas or very ahead of time or a lady of progressive ideas .Salute the immortal lady.

[@rexsangma6913]

Great and brilliant Sir

[@user-sv1ur2ng4t]

barkha is really a black hearted person

[@saurabhtiwari7213]

A great personality.

[@johnmallick]

HE IS GOOD MAN IN INDIA

[@kausik1139]

Verge intelligent and thoughtful great thinker

[@saradaramsatyavada4943]

Deepavali is not peasants or farmers festival , that festival is Sankranthi! Origin of festival of Deepavali has many epic historical stories from all corners of India! I need not state here !, 🙏🏽

[@ravikathuria242]

best interview till date of Javed Akhtar,not star writer or good poet but the man&a great human being.A big thank you Barkha!

[@Ritesh-rj1sp]

Hello is the biggest hypocrite He didn't say anyone word about his sons vulgar series mirzapur while burnt by Sandeep vanga success

[@user-pw8ts8pg7p]

The creator has sealed his heart ,hearing and sight

[@MS-Hussain]

Javed is an athiest, and not athiest muslim. Just name doesn't make anyone muslim or hindu. Its the belief inside that makes them

[@bw8026]

He lies though his teeth. He is a Muslim indeed

[@bbhaipradeep]

Exactly language is attached with a region only.

[@sksivapurapu]

Her question.. Are you afraid to live in a deeply religious society like us. His answer.. No, I do not feel afraid... My take... He will not be saying the same in Pakistan...

[@Quantum_Speed]

Javed Akhtar is King 👑 of hypocrisy/Deception.

[@evidence-vs8bd]

A Muslim (مُسْلِم), the word for a follower of Islam, is the active participle of the same verb form, and means "submitter (to God)" or "one who surrenders (to God)". a'THE'ist - a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods. kya bbath hai.. kya bbbath hai 👏

[@happyguy650]

I grew up with intense anti religious spite for all religions beacuse i feel they divide people and make them do things which they will not do otherwise. After listening secular people including Javed Akhtar i somehow get my humanity and sanity back. I now regards all religious books as literature and respect all all religious people and tolerant towards their beliefs.

[@DeepakYadav-br8jc]

❤he living legend

[@omieyadav638]

He calls himself an atheist muslim because he identifies himself as an atheist, who does not believe in God or have faith in any of the Gods... But people/society recognise him by his name, ie. a muslim name..and he really can't change the views of society that he lives in. Obviously, not many people in India thinks in a logical way and an unbiased pov.

[@moviemango143]

Atheist muslim doesn't make sense. Muslim is someone who believe in Allah.....

[@incubusk8r]

What's interesting the celebrity journalist really gets starstruck with every Mumbai celebs not so much with Delhi politicians. Vice-versa in Mumbai i think.

[@ahmedkazi113]

It is surprised to know he remembered this incident of Alan. He may be super human .

[@loveearthly]

Javed Akhtar is no Atheist. He is the ultimate practitioner of Takkiyya. Helps him sound rational while pushing the Islamist Brotherhood agenda.

[@hindurashtra63]

He is a very Lovable and Funny Character.

[@someshwarsharma4290]

A small suggestion please improve the quality of content your content is good ❤

[@naruto5437]

love this guy

[@sahais2012]

There is nothing like Atheist Muslim. It is actually called #exmuslim

[@chandut027]

Religion is not just believing in God, it also has other things like way of living. I am a Atheist Hindu, Also Hinduism has a sect for Atheists. So same can be applicable to Javed Sir.

[@bw8026]

It's acceptable in Hinduism. Atheist Muslim is an Oxymoron 😂

[@moviemango143]

Definition of muslim written in Quran.... Atheist Hindus is acceptable.... Atheist muslims Don't make sense

[@chandut027]

@@moviemango143 we should welcome such free thinkers from any religion. Atleast then we will have some hope from becoming too hardliners.

[@moviemango143]

@@chandut027 most of the time he equate ghoonghat to burkha to make one point but I never saw any girl in ghoonghat attending classes in my college.....

[@moviemango143]

@@chandut027 and according to aimplb 15yr old muslim girl can marry... Never heard any so called free thinker protesting against it.....

[@ravikaundinya]

Nice interview but Barkha as always can be seen with sublime bias to members she’s has always been biased to. But I admire her prep-up and process. Overall nice one n thanks to JA for honesty n relevance.

[@chaitanyakada1341]

She has special heart for Peaceful individuals.

[@trulyyoursish]

JA for honesty?

[@ravikaundinya]

@@trulyyoursish I felt so; may not be 100%. I didn’t buy his crap on Sandeep Reddy Vanga; felt strange his son Farhaan Akthar without knowing about subject produced it. His actual rsn cud SRV’s take on Bobby Deol character portrayal😉. I felt Barkhaa sincerely provided a vent out to JA on SRV due to her inherent goodness.

[@hindustani5904]

can the two liberals clarify whether any one thing is wrong in the peaceful religion?one does takiya journalism and another takiya film making

[@marinshibu8220]

Sheesh? Have a better question

[@johnywalker8428]

I like Barkha now because of late, she is keeping a balance and she listens to and challenges both sides of every debate but here she keeps asking him about provocation from the Hindu extremists and the anti Muslim issues. She should have explored more on why Muslims hate him and talk of more examples

[@wowvillage]

It takes courage. Though we all r full of controDictions

[@bobby-meetanagpal9840]

Outstanding interview !! Both of you were so comfortable with the most candid questions and answers - so refreshing!! Please do more of the same .......

[@qeemti_alfaz]

Javed sir is very good person, he didnt make fun of any religion like an athiest do, secondly is always talk about humanity and peace, im muslim but i love his thought and his lectures. He is true nationalist and should be in loksabha we need the people like him who doesnt play a religion game in the name of vote.

[@AR-kk5qy]

Excellent excellent

[@prashantkatti118]

He will speak loudly against hindu communalism but in a hushed and soft coated tone against muslim communalism.

[@i_am_samar]

I am proud that, I follow Javed Aktar not some Guru.

[@ManjunathBangalore20]

The Secularism Of Javed Akhtar : It is necessary to mention that this Javed Akhtar has been doing several trips to Pakistan for decades in the pretext of Pakistani Mushaira seminars and conferences. But he never spoke a word against the demonic havoc of murder, loot and rape being carried out by Pakistani Muslim goons on Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi or Buddhist families in Pakistan. Such painful situations of non-Muslims in Pakistan had never spilt over any of his stories or ghazals. But this is the same Javed Akhtar who opposed the CAA and was insisting to give India’s citizenship to the Pakistani Muslim goons.

[@geethakrishnafilmschools7901]

For get whether he is Muslim or any other religion 😅doesn't matter.. For me as a film maker from south, Shree Javed sab is a fantastic writer both stories or Lyrics. Like Shree Gulzar sab ❤🙏🌹

[@aadiraj-jx8xj]

❤❤ Akhtar speak TRUTH AGAIN ❤❤ 😂😂 I am atheist MUSLIM 😂😂 ❤❤ What A JOKE ❤❤ ❤❤ I AM laughing AT secular HINDU ❤❤

[@happyguy650]

Just to clarify everyone - A *muslim atheist* is someone who does not accept the authority of Quran nor its teachings but still retains the cultural aspects of his religion ie Islam like food, clothing, customs and celeberation of festival. Same as Hindu Atheist, Christian atheist. Note that the usage of these terms are more used in India. In west, when a christian leaves his faith he associates himself as 'non-religious'.

[@pawansambyal4921]

What abt. Sanskrit ?. Barkha is Punjabi 👏👏. True, Language is Regional. Love Bharat i.e India🙏

[@adityamitradas2577]

Barkha ma'am I'm your biggest fan of your journalism at the moment. Its ridiculous that anyone is trolled but I do agree that I haven't liked your journalism earlier. I feel you have become a lot more non partisan and more center leaning. I don't live in India but feel safe to know that journalism is safe in hands of people like you. Please understand there's a huge breed of people like me in India and abroad who Love India and take interest in Indian politics and don't subscribe to the BJP or it's policies yet feel Narendra Modi is a great leader and is the right man for the Job. On the other hand we are also open to a Sachin Pilot, or many other opposing leaders for that matter from the congress but there's a "Gandhi Fatigue" Cheers to 400 paar😊

[@devanshu6335]

Abrahamics took the festival of pagans but hinduism itself was pagan for them. Usually atheists give examples of christmas and kaaba as it originally did not belong to abrahamics but in case of hinduism it didn't make sense because pongal holi bihu etc were always localised. These are getting popular in other regions just because of pop culture not because brahmans are telling others to celebrate it.

[@AR-kk5qy]

Excellent.. although you cannot compare the kaawar pilgrimage with someone blocking the road to pray.

[@kuldeepkumarbhat9648]

Indian leadsrship has accepted two nation theory as demended by majority Muslims of this subcontinent. The total population exchange could not be carried out due violence. All those muslims who feel suffocated in India have a right to migrate to any muslim country of their choice. And Non-muslims discriminated against officially in Palistan have a right now to come to India and settle here.

[@chintanshah9743]

Jawed Akhtar is lost , in another debate he says “either you are pregnant or not you can’t be half pregnant “ and here you see he says he is half pregnant 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sohampatel-bm7gt]

That's why I labelled him as Muslim Atheist. But apart from that I genuinely respect him for his talent, intellectual. He is a human I aspire to be but only when it is Javed -(minus) Muslim atheist. Javed sir I am a Hindu. Aur BarKHAN dutt to kya kehna.

[@pareshtangirala2974]

This fellow will never give an interview to a hostile journalist. Lacks the guts

[@ExploringAngel]

I am a Hindu Hindu Ambedkarite believer

[@sudeep_singh]

Barkha ji, not all teenagers are communists.

[@kuldeepkumarbhat9648]

This is a Sanatan Civilisational Nation. We follow Sanatan way of life. We are an overwhelming majority and minorities here are as equal citizens.. But the way of life is Sanatan. And muslims here have to live with that reality.

[@trulyyoursish]

Exactly. Noone in Pakistan says Hindi is our language too. Hindi is the language of their ancestors, but do they say that?

[@user-bv5yo5yi9g]

🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@kuldeepkumarbhat9648]

We have all indigenous words equivalent for these here and we use those.. We don't use persiab words.

[@indianzionist2012]

Javed Akhtar (PBUH of course) is the Muhammad (meaning Praiseworthy) of Shero-Shaayari.

[@db_0707]

As akhtar is approaching old age and death, he has finally admitted that he never was an atheist. He was a momin all along and wanted to convert all qafirs to momins. His children are also going in the same direction. Zoya couldnt get married yet because its difficult for women to convert others.

[@kirtykochar9670]

Thanks Barkha for this awesome interview,have seen so many but this was an exposition of not only Javed Sahib ‘s inspirational personality but it was Barkha ‘s talent for being a creative interviewer when occasion demanded this ❤❤❤

[@bbhaipradeep]

Pakistan and Bangladesh are two nations inspite of one religion is the example that language is attached with a particular region .

[@kuldeepkumarbhat9648]

He is the one who has projected Hindus as retrograde, South Indians funny and Muslims as the best people on Earth. He is the most unfortunate thing that happened to Bollywood !

[@rajrevank9108]

It is disappointing that Barkha who is calls herself liberal did not press on woman's rights enough because she loves this so called liberal guy. Barkha, Where is your outrage over polygamy which extremely un-liberal? There goes another case of selective outrage or non-outrage!