Javed Akhtar on making controversial comments in Pakistan: 'Yahan nahi darte wahan kya darna?'

Renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has been facing criticism from Pakistani celebrities and praises from Indian counterparts for his 26/11 remarks at an event in Lahore. In a recent interview, he has opened up on whether he was scared of speaking his mind there.

Speaking at an ABP event, Javed repeated his statement from that event and added, ‘It became too big, it feels embarrassing, feel like I should not go (for such events). Yaha aya to laga pata nahi third World War jeet ke aya hoon (as if I won the third world war). The people and the media have so many reactions. I was embarrrased aisa kya keh diya? Itni baat to kehni padegi, chup rahein kya (we have to say as much, should we just shut up)?’

Mr Akhtar said he has received messages that people in Pakistan are questioning how he got a visa, and added that he may only recall the place now.

When asked if he felt scared to speak his mind during the event in Lahore, Javed said, ‘Is tarah ki baatein, jo controversial hain...jis mulk pe paida hue, jeete hain aur marenge waha karte rehte hain to dusre mulk me do din jana waha kya dar tha? Jab yaha nahi darte to waha kya darenge (I make such controversial comments in the country where I wa born and will die, why would I be scared in a country I was visiting for two days? I am not scared here, why would I be scared there)?’

For the unversed, Javed Akhtar attended a festival honouring writer Faiz Ahmed Faiz in Lahore where he was told that Indians think all Pakistani are terrorists. Javed sternly replied that it is wrong to expect Indians to ignore that the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks are living freely in Pakistan.

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