Why was Honey Irani not credited for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge?

Honey Irani was not credited for her writing contribution to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which caused a rift with Yash Chopra.

What is Farhan Akhtar's stance on writer compensation?

Farhan Akhtar ensures writers are paid well and introduced a system where 2% of film profits go to them.

How did Javed Akhtar help musicians and writers?

Javed Akhtar was instrumental in passing the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, ensuring artists receive royalties.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Farhan Akhtar: Mom's DDLJ snub broke my heart

Farhan Akhtar: Mom's DDLJ snub broke my heart

26 Nov, 2025

•

Summary

Honey Irani wasn't credited for writing DDLJ, upsetting her.
Farhan Akhtar believes writers deserve a share of film profits.
Javed Akhtar championed royalties for musicians and writers.

Farhan Akhtar: Mom's DDLJ snub broke my heart

Farhan Akhtar recently shared poignant details about his mother, Honey Irani's, pivotal role in writing the iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a contribution that went uncredited. Akhtar described this oversight as "heartbreaking" but stated that the family has moved past the incident and values their relationships with Yash Chopra's family.

Reflecting on industry practices, Akhtar proudly discussed Excel Entertainment's commitment to compensating writers, including a pioneering initiative where 2% of film profits are shared with them. This highlights a broader push for fair remuneration within the film industry.

The conversation also touched upon the importance of royalties for artists, referencing Javed Akhtar's efforts in passing the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012. This legislation aimed to ensure musicians and writers receive due compensation, rectifying a long-standing systemic issue.