Javed Akhtar recalls when he was mistaken for Gulzar at airport, reveals hilarious interaction

Writer Javed Akhtar narrated a hilarious incident during the launch of Jadunama, a book written on Akhtar by Arvind Mandloi. He was joined on stage by legendary lyricist Gulzar. Mr Akhtar revealed how a man once greeted him at the airport, thinking he is Gulzar. Akhtar said he did not correct him and went on to make him believe that he was indeed Gulzar, waiting to receive Javed Akhtar at the airport.

‘Shabana and I were at the airport, when the airline staff asked us to sit and said they will get our luggage. Shabana was sitting right next to me when a gentleman approached me and said, ‘Adaab Gulzar saab!’ I responded with an adaab too. He then wondered, ‘How come Gulzar saab is at the airport?’ I told him that Javed Akhtar saab is coming, so I am there to receive him!,’ he said.

‘He got confused that such a big man has come to receive Javed Akhtar?! He asked me, with disappointment in his voice, ‘You are here to receive Javed Akhtar?’, I replied, ‘I always come. Wherever Javed Akhtar is coming from, I always receive him at the airport’. The disappointment in his face, that he is a fan of Gulzar, and Gulzar has come to receive Javed Akhtar! He said, with a confused, disappointed tone, ‘Achcha… Chalta hu Gulzar saab,'’ Akhtar narrated leaving Gulzar in splits.

Great camaraderie was seen between Akhtar and Gulzar at the book launch.

Also Watch| SAG Awards nominations: ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ get most nods