At the tender age of 15, Javed Akhtar took a bold step that would eventually lead him to the glittering world of Bollywood. He left his family, driven by an intense desire to carve a niche for himself in Mumbai, then known as Bombay. His journey, however, was far from the fairy tale that many people envision. Akhtar’s recollection of his early days in Mumbai, shared in the three-part docuseries ‘Angry Young Men’, brings vivid imagery of his struggle, compelling viewers to appreciate the sacrifices that many pioneers of cinema had to make.
The legendary screenwriter and lyricist, renowned for his association with the iconic duo Salim-Javed, became emotional while sharing his experiences. He recounted the grim reality of being deprived of basic necessities such as food, sleep, and clothing. These hardships, etched deeply into his memory, resurface as he narrates his story to a wide-eyed audience.
“You can do anything as a teenager,” Javed shared, his voice cracking with emotion. “That’s what I believed. After my graduation, I decided to move to Bombay to work as an assistant director. I admired directors like Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor at that time. I was certain that I’d become a director in a short time.” However, the reality was starkly different from his dreams.
Mumbai, the city of dreams, wasn’t ready to welcome Javed with open arms. The journey was arduous; success was distant. “I slept at railway stations, studio compounds, in corridors, and on benches. Sometimes I had to walk miles from Dadar to Bandra because I couldn’t afford a bus ticket,” he remembered. “There were times when I realized I hadn’t eaten for two days. Despite these hardships, I always believed that one day this will make for an amazing moment in my autobiography.”
An air of nostalgia wrapped his words, painting an intimate portrait of a young man who refused to let adversity dictate his fate. At 18, Javed faced a peculiar yet devastating realization. “I had nothing to wear,” he said, reflecting on a moment of raw vulnerability.
. “How is that possible? I’ve been wearing clothes for 18 years. But my last pair of trousers was so torn that they couldn’t be worn anymore, and I didn’t have another pair to replace them.”
These revelations strike a chord, revealing the tenacity and perseverance that have become synonymous with Javed’s name. His struggles didn’t end with clothing. Recounting his early days, Javed’s eyes welled up with tears, offering a glimpse into the emotional scars left by those years. “Being deprived of food or sleep leaves a mark that never fades,” he said somberly.
Javed’s journey from the third-class compartment of a train to five-star hotel suites is nothing short of extraordinary. “When I lie on those sprawling double beds in luxury hotels, I often recall my early days in Bombay. It took two exhausting days to travel in a cramped third-class train compartment with no place to sit, let alone sleep. Now, sometimes when I’m served breakfast—complete with butter, jam, half-fried eggs, and coffee—I can’t help but wonder if I deserve this even now. I think, maybe this breakfast isn’t meant for me.”
His memories are a testament to an unyielding spirit and relentless hard work. The story of Javed Akhtar is not just his own; it is the narrative of countless artists who come to Mumbai every day, dreaming of a better tomorrow. These stories, however, often remain untold.
Javed’s voice in ‘Angry Young Men’, which premieres exclusively on Prime Video in India on August 20, brings these untold stories to the forefront, encouraging a new generation to persevere through challenges. His words echo beyond the screen, reminding us of the resilience needed to transform dreams into reality.
The docuseries serves as a historical document, a bridge between the past and present, accentuating the significance of struggle in the path to success. Javed Akhtar’s journey encapsulates the essence of Mumbai, a city that tests its dreamers rigorously before rewarding them generously. His tearful recollections provide a candid and heartfelt understanding of what it means to pursue one’s passion against all odds.
As we celebrate Javed Akhtar’s monumental achievements, his past remains a poignant reminder of the grit that sculpted his unparalleled career in Bollywood. The narrative crafted in ‘Angry Young Men’ is not just a memoir of hardship but a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream. Javed’s journey is now immortalized, encouraging young dreamers to tread the path he once traversed with unwavering determination.
