Summary: (http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/49-150x150.jpg)Javed Akhtar (https://twitter.com/Javedakhtarjadu) is a well-known Hindi film lyricist, screenwriter and an urdu poet. He has been involved in Hindi film industry or Bollywood for over 40 years. In the interview Mr. Akhtar talks about Umrao Jaan (http://www.umraojaanthefilm.com/), his father Jan Nissar Akhtar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Nisar_Akhtar) and writings. This interview was recorded on November 2, 2006 at the IAAC film festival (http://www.iaac.us/sixth_film_festival2006/screening_schedule.htm)in Manhattan, New York. At the time of the interview Mr. Akhtar (http://www.javedakhtar.com/homepage/index.html)had not seen his new film Umrao Jaan (http://www.umraojaanthefilm.com/), which was screened at the IAAC film festival. Mr. Akhtar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javed_Akhtar)originally planned on being a film director, and thought that screen writing might lead him to achieve his goal. Mr. Akhtar teamed up with Mr. Salim Khan and as Salim-Javed (http://www.upperstall.com/people/salimjaved.html)the duo wrote a string of blockbuster screenplays like Sholay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sholay), Deewar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deewaar), and Zanjeer (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070947/) among others. Although reluctant at first, Mr. Akhtar started writing lyrics for Hindi films pretty late in his career. His first film was Love Story 1942. Since then he has penned a string of memorable songs. This interview was originally published on November 12, 2006. Photo credit: javedakhtar.com Related Links: A multip-episode podcast interview with Dr. Salman Akhtar, his brother, who talks about the evolution of Hindi cinema from the silent cinema days to 21st century. You can listen to Dr. Salman Akhtar's interview here (http://kamlabhattshow.com/content/3090/secondary-five.html).
