Happy Birthday Javed Akhtar: The legendary lyricist shares his struggling days in Mumbai

Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar turns 77 today (17th January). In a five-decade-long career, Akhtar has given the audience numerous blockbuster hit songs. However, his journey to stardom was not an easy task.

In an interview with a leading daily, Javed Akhtar revealed that he spent days homeless on the streets and finally he got a break in 1969.

“I slept wherever I fancied - sometimes in some verandah, sometimes in some corridor, sometimes under some tree where several homeless, jobless people like me also lived,” he said. “At last, in November 1969, I got some work which in film parlance is called a ‘break’.”

Javed Sahab has been honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and five National Film Awards.

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