Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Javed Akhtar Recalls Hunger and Hope During Bombay Struggle
Javed Akhtar moved to Bombay when he was 19 because he wanted to work in films.
He hoped to assist famous directors Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt.
Those plans did not work out, and he struggled for about six years.
Sometimes he had no home and sometimes he had no food.
He earned small amounts by ghostwriting scenes for films.
Once, he had only 20 naya paisa left and chose to buy chana instead of taking a bus home.
He still believed that he would eventually become successful.
His breakthrough came in January 1970, and he later became a famous writer and lyricist.
Javed Akhtar arrived in Bombay in 1964 at age 19, hoping to become a filmmaker.
He spent six years struggling for work, sometimes lacking shelter and going without food for up to three days.
Akhtar survived through occasional ghostwriting assignments, including writing film scenes for payments of Rs 100 per scene.
With only 20 naya paisa left, he chose to buy chana rather than take a bus home from Dadar.
His major breakthrough came in January 1970, followed by success with the Salim-Javed partnership and as a lyricist.
- Who
- Javed Akhtar, who later became a prominent Hindi-film writer and lyricist.
- What
- He recalled enduring poverty, hunger and uncertain work during his early years in Bombay before finding success.
- When
- He arrived in 1964, struggled for six years, and said his major break came in January 1970.
- Where
- Bombay, now Mumbai, including Dadar, Bandra-Khar and Mahim.
- Why
- He moved to Bombay after graduation to pursue filmmaking and hoped to assist Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt.
- Arrival
- Javed Akhtar reached Bombay in 1964 at age 19.
- Early ambition
- He wanted to become a filmmaker and assist Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt.
- Length of struggle
- He spent about six years seeking a foothold in the film industry.
- Income
- Ghostwriting work sometimes paid Rs 100 per scene.
- Hardship
- He said he sometimes lacked shelter and went without food for two or three days.
- Money remembered
- On one occasion, he had only 20 naya paisa and bought chana instead of taking a bus.
- Breakthrough
- Akhtar said his real break came in January 1970.