Javed Akhtar- lord of lyrics

He loves to take up challenges both at the professional and personal level. And he is always distinctly vocal about his feelings. Noted film lyricist and social activist Javed Akhtar has written lyrics for the forthcoming remakes of two of the most successful musical hits of Bollywood — Don and Umrao Jaan — knowing very well that comparisons are bound to arise.

''I have always written my lyrics according to the pulse of the people, and never under any kind of pressure,'' says Javed.

''Throughout my career, I often found myself writing on two entirely different genres simultaneously... and I never felt any difficulty in doing so. For instance, when I was writing lyrics for Ashutosh Gowarikar's period film Lagaan which had a rural backdrop, I also simultaneously had to pen lyrics for Farhan's Dil Chahta Hai which had a contrasting urban look,'' he admits. ''And again, while I was writing lyrics for Karan Johar's forthcoming film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna which has a western backdrop, I simultaneously penned the songs for JP Dutta's remake of Muzaffar Ali's classic Umrao Jaan.''

But didn't Javed find it challenging to write lyrics for the remake of a musical classic like Umrao Jaan?

''Shahreyar (lyricist of Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan) is senior to me. But frankly, I never had this in my mind while penning lyrics for JP Dutta's Umrao Jaan. With utmost sincerity, I only tried to write the ghazals in simple and clear Urdu which could be understood by today's generation. In fact, I've written a theme song completely in Awadhi dialect in order to suit the rural background of the lead character Ameeran (who later goes on to become Umrao Jaan in the film).''

And what about lyrics for his son Farhan Akhtar's Don?

''Farhan's Don is a film of modern sensibilities. It's a modern interpretation of the old film. Although the evergreen Khaike paan banareswala song has been retained, I've written a different version for the Ee hai Mumbai nagariya tu dekh babuwa number which I hope will sound refreshing to today's generation.''

Interestingly, Javed is also writing lyrics for composer-cum-crooner Himesh Reshammiya's compositions for the forthcoming film Namaste London. Ask him about the clash of sensibilities, and he doesn't hesitate in airing his frank opinion: ''Why, what's wrong with Himesh? He has a unique style of singing which has made him popular among today's youth. When he met me recently and asked me to write lyrics for his compositions, I readily agreed.''

Javed was recently denied visa by the Pakistani embassy when he was scheduled to visit that country for a charity show. He doesn't mince words in airing his frank opinion in this regard: ''I've learnt that the Pakistani intelligence thinks I'm anti-Pakistan as I wrote lyrics for a patriotic film like Lakshya. They feel I'm too outspoken for their comfort. That's why even after granting the visa, they cancelled it based on an intelligence report.''

What's his take on the fact that even though the dialogues and lyrics of Bollywood films happen to be in Urdu, they are called Hindi and not Urdu films?

''Look, as long as people understand the language, it remains Hindi and when they find it difficult to comprehend a few words, they call it Urdu! I prefer to call it Hindustani, like Mahatma Gandhi. Urdu is indeed Hindustani... it's not what gets aired on Radio Pakistan. So, it's no big deal even if our films are called Hindi despite Urdu dominating the dialogues and lyrics.''

Meanwhile, Javed is looking forward to enacting the role of his father Jan Nisar Akhtar in a theatrical presentation titled Safiya Aur Akhtar, which is being written by noted writer Javed Siddiqui.

''As you know, Safiya was my mom's name and Akhtar refers to my dad. Javed Siddiqui's work is based on Zer-e-Lab, a compilation of letters written by my father to my mom,'' he says excitedly.