Veteran poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, on Thursday, urged individuals to chant ‘Jai Siyaram’ during the Deepotsav event organized by MNS President Raj Thackeray. The 78-year-old poet took pride in being born on the sacred land associated with Ram and Sita.

Despite being an atheist, Akhtar acknowledged Ram and Sita as integral components of India’s cultural heritage. “That’s why I am here,” he added, emphasizing the cultural significance of these deities beyond religious boundaries.

The renowned poet highlighted the Ramayana as a cornerstone of our cultural heritage and expressed his pride in being born in the land associated with Ram and Sita. “When we talk about the Maryada Purushottam (ideal man), Ram and Sita come to mind. So, let’s say ‘Jai Siyaram’ from today,” he remarked, encouraging a shared cultural reverence.

Javed Akhtar’s Remarkable Career Journey

Javed Akhtar stands as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated screenwriters and lyricists, boasting five National Film Awards. His illustrious career includes recognition with two of India’s highest civilian honours: Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007.

On the political front, Akhtar actively campaigned for the Communist Party of India (CPI) during the 2019 Indian general elections and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, in 2009.

His prolific contributions to Bollywood earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist eight times, solidifying his position as a luminary in the field. Additionally, Akhtar received the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu, India’s second-highest literary honour, for his poetry collection titled “Lava.”

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