Lyricist Akhtar Slams Border 2 Remakes

The upcoming film Border 2 is facing criticism regarding its music, with veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar leading the charge. Akhtar revealed that he was approached to write songs for the film but ultimately refused the offer. He described the practice of reworking old songs as a sign of 'intellectual and creative bankruptcy,' urging filmmakers to create new music instead of depending on past successes.

Akhtar further elaborated on his stance, questioning the necessity of recreating beloved songs from previous films. He drew a parallel to the 1964 film Haqeeqat, whose brilliant songs were not reused, with new compositions being created instead. He believes each film possesses its own unique essence that cannot be replicated by rehashing old music, suggesting that filmmakers who opt for remakes are admitting their inability to achieve similar creative heights.

When presented with the argument that rehashing might be a marketing strategy to evoke nostalgia, Akhtar dismissed it, stating, "You create new nostalgia then." The film, starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on January 23, 2026.