Javed Akhtar: From Rs 27 to Bollywood Stardom

Javed Akhtar, a celebrated lyricist and screenwriter, recently opened up about his difficult early years in Bombay. Arriving in 1964 at the age of 19 with only 27 naya paisa, his initial aspirations to assist filmmakers like Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt did not materialize. Following Guru Dutt's death shortly after his arrival, Akhtar found himself without a clear path in the industry.

For six arduous years, from 1964 to 1970, Akhtar endured significant financial and personal struggles. He often lacked stable shelter and faced prolonged periods of hunger. His survival depended on sporadic ghost-writing assignments, for which he received approximately Rs 1,000 for writing around ten scenes for a comedian's role. He described this time as hand-to-mouth, with no fallback option.

Despite the extreme circumstances, including being thrown out of his house and facing days without food, Akhtar never contemplated suicide. He recalled knowing a dargah in Mahim where food was provided, but he never sought assistance there, choosing instead to endure his hunger. A specific instance involved walking a long distance home after a producer failed to pay him for ten scenes, opting to buy food over a bus ticket.

Akhtar's breakthrough finally arrived in January 1970, marking the end of his prolonged period of struggle. His journey from destitution to becoming a renowned figure in Indian cinema highlights his resilience and determination throughout those challenging formative years.