Javed Akhtar Says ‘Shabana And I Are Sleeping On Streets’ As He Responds To Pak Actor’s ‘Can’t Rent House’ Dig
Veteran Bollywood lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has never shied away from expressing himself. Be it taking to his official social media handles to share his experiences or during his media interactions, his honest and brutal statements always make the headlines. Recently, he strongly reacted to Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari’s recent comments against him during an interview with The Lallantop.
For those who don’t know, Ansari, through her social media post, has mocked Akhtar by stating that he “can’t even get a house on rent in Mumbai.” She had gone on to add that he should “stay quiet like Naseeruddin Shah.” Addressing the same during the interaction, he questioned her right to tell him to “stay quiet.”
SEE ALSO: Javed Akhtar Expresses Disappointment Over Virat Kohli’s ‘Premature’ Retirement: ‘There’s Still Lot Of Cricket…’
Quoted by India Today, the 80-year-old lyricist asked, “She said Naseeruddin Shah stays quiet, so I should too. But who is she to decide when I should speak? Who gave her that right?” He went on to add that Indians do have “internal issues,” however, when someone from outside points fingers, “I am first and foremost an Indian.” He firmly said, “I won’t stay silent.”
Making light of the claim that he couldn’t find a house in Mumbai, he laughed it off and sarcastically said, “Yes, of course! Shabana and I are sleeping on the streets now.” Akhtar recalled the time, 25 years ago, when his wife, veteran actress Shabana Azmi, wanted to buy a house, however, the owner was unwilling because of his personal pain and experience.
SEE ALSO: Javed Akhtar Says Indian Actors Don’t Speak Up Against Govt Due To Terror, ‘No Income Tax Raid On Meryl Streep’
The screenwriter of Sholay recalled, “About 25 years ago, Shabana wanted to buy a flat. The broker told us the owner didn’t want to sell to Muslims because his family was forced out of Sindh during Partition. That anger came from his personal pain, not religion. So, how can Bushra Ansari twist this and use it against me?”
Come what may , what ever the cost , what ever the repercussions, the terrorists of Pelham can not be allowed to get away . These mass murderers have to pay with their lives for their inhuman deeds .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) April 23, 2025
It is to be noted that the entire fiasco started after his recent speech at the Gauravshaali Maharashtra Mahotsav, where he had strongly condemned the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam during a terrorist attack.
Despite the criticism, Javed Akhtar made his stance on the matter clear, that he won’t be silenced. “They should look at their own history before pointing fingers at us,” he concluded.