Javed Akhtar completes 50 creative years in Mumbai

It is 50 years today (Oct 4) since the acclaimed lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar had stepped foot in Mumbai from Gwalior to pursue his creative dreams.

He recently participated in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Swachch Bharat Abhiyan' on Gandhi Jayanti at the Mumbai Central Railway station to sweep the platforms.

Pointing out at a significant personal historical link to the clean-India campaign, he said, "It was 50 years ago on Oct 4, 1964 that I left my hometown Gwalior to reach Mumbai by a train that took me to Mumbai Central. And now, just two days short of the day I had arrived in Mumbai 50 years ago, I am at the same place as part of a clean-Indian campaign."

The 69-year-old got his first break in "Yakeen" (1969), and since then, he has been credited with a slew of songs, scripts and poems, which have been highly appreciated.

As a scriptwriter, his erstwhile partnership with Salim Khan gave the Hindi film industry movies like "Zanjeer", "Deewar", "Sholay", "Haathi Mere Saathi", "Seeta Aur Geeta" and "Trishul".

Javed's spouse Shabana Azmi, who is a veteran actress and social activist, looks at Javed's 50-year journey with 'respect'.

"50 years ago Javed Akhtar came 2 Bombay 2 pursue career in films - slept on d streets no food 4 days only talent n determination. RESPECT (sic)", Shabana posted on her Twitter page Saturday.