aved Akhtar is an acclaimed Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter known for his significant contributions to Indian cinema and Urdu poetry. He began his career as a scriptwriter in the 1970s, forming the legendary duo Salim-Javed, who wrote blockbuster films like Sholay, Deewaar, and Zanjeer. Later, he gained recognition as a lyricist and a modern Urdu poet, writing thought-provoking songs and poetry. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, Javed Akhtar is also a prominent public intellectual and social commentator.