Poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has a ton of credible literary achievements to his name. Being a man of many words, he seldom shies away from expressing his opinion on social media, especially when it comes to social issues that bring out the rebel in him.
Javed Akhtar uses Twitter for its intended purpose; to present a sharp point of view and aggressively engage with trolls who try to undermine him. When more and more celebrities prefer being diplomatic about current affairs, Akhtar doesn’t hesitate to lash out. On his 73rd birthday, here’s looking at some of his not-so-poetic tweets, that we haven’t quite recovered from.
On Triple Talaq
On Donald Trump
On Petty Minds
Javed Akhtar took to Twitter to condemn misogynistic statements made by the likes of Abu Azmi. In a tweet he targeted sexist voices, blaming their childhood for their state of mind, “Parameshwara, Abu Asim Azmi, Rahul Eshwar, Pandit Ajay Gautam. What has made you such misogynists? Unhappy childhood?”
In another unrelated tweet, he tries to decipher the mind of the petty.
Pakistan vs. Naxals
Someone commented on Twitter that Pakistan can't control LET the way we can't control Naxals. Javed Akhtar took it upon himself to point out the difference.
On Being Stifled By Modi Bhakts
Taking On Trolls
When it comes to dealing with trolls, Javed Akhtar is always well-equipped.
He also doesn’t hesitate to comment on cross-border issues that remain unresolved between India and Pakistan.
2016 saw the civil war in Syria take an even uglier turn, as the world watched in numb silence.
On Sexism
Javed Akhtar even managed to find a sexist twist to a statement made by former American president Barack Obama, possibly the greatest feminist voice the US has ever heard.
Of Bizarre Fatwas And Their Implications
On The Worst Forms of Misogyny
In 2015, Gauhar Khan was allegedly slapped for wearing a ‘short dress’ on a TV show. Javed Akhtar expressed his rage at the creep on Twitter.
Javed saab, we concur. But on your birthday, give poor Twitter a break :P
On Chetan Bhagat’s ‘Musings’
Javed saab, you could’ve let this go honestly. Poor Chetan Bhagat will think of your sour tweet every year on Diwali.
Bring On The Trolls
Javed Akhtar plays with danger on Twitter. If he spots a troll, he takes him/her head on.
Javed Akhtar flared up when a troll called him names: “Javed is traitor, fascist, communal, anti-social, partitionist, porkistani. Kick him out of India.”
Wish you a happy birthday, Javed sahab!
(This article is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on 16 January 2017. It is now being republished to mark Javed Akhtar’s birthday.)
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