The noted lyricist, poet and scriptwriter of Bollywood, Javed Akhtar arrived in the city of lakes on Thursday to attend a programme organised by Hasnat Foundation at Samanvay Bhavan.

Javed Akhtar also released the book by Khalid Abidi. The book is all about cinema and its 100 years. Besides, Javed expressed his view points over ‘100 years of cinema and its effects on Indian society.” Beginning from the early years of cinema, he explained about the changing trends in the film industry, film making and changing generations.

Javed Akhtar belongs to Gwalior and he began his career as a scriptwriter in the late sixties. Notably, he arrived at Mumbai with Rs100 in his pocket. After facing various failures he joined hands with Salim Khan and wrote the hit screenplays which are remembered till now. He began working for GP Sippy and wrote screenplays for hit movies like Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta and Sholay.

As Akhtar has worked in the industry for many years, he has a tremendous knowledge about the golden years of cinema which he shared with the citizens. He not only spoke about his work and his experience in the film industry, but also threw light over how the incoming of modern cinema shadowed the traditional cinema and put a great impact over the audiences.

Further he highlighted the importance of so called ‘Heroines’, ‘Villains’ and ‘Vamps’ in the Hindi Cinema. He said that the image of women has changed with the changing interpretations about them by the society. He said that women are worshipped as goddesses because of which they were kept deprived from their rights. But, now women have started to take a stand for themselves and are trying to change their image.

He further appreciated the youth and said that he is optimistic about the work of the young generation. He spoke about Hindi cinema where he cleared out the difference between the kind cinema made earlier and the way it is presented now. Elaborating further on the fact he said that earlier the film were made for general audiences, but now they are made keeping in mind the urban audiences.

Rajkumar Keswani conducted the programme. Chairman of ISECT University Santosh Chaoubey was present as the special guests at the programme.