In a chat with Mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, Javed Akhtar reflected on his communist roots and current wealth, revealing he hasn't bought shoes since the 1950s and doesn't track his bank balances
Javed Akhtar
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar was born in 1945 in Gwalior and raised in a communist household. Upon his birth, he was also fed the Communist Manifesto into his ears. Today, however, he enjoys a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle, owning multiple properties. In a candid conversation with Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Akhtar spoke about his early ideological roots and how they coexist with his present-day affluence.
'No idea about how much money I have'
Talking about his relationship with money, Akhtar shared, “I think I have accounts in three banks. If you ask me how much money is in each account, I swear I don’t know. Thankfully, I have some very competent people who handle all that. They get my signatures on papers, and in my whole life, I’ve never had a problem with income tax,” he said, adding that he has never been on the wrong side of the law.
Akhtar also revealed that he doesn’t carry a wallet and rarely shops for himself. His wife, actress Shabana Azmi, or their staff usually orders or buys things for him. “I don’t know the price of anything. But buying shoes is a problem,” he admitted. He shared that the only time he carries physical money is when he is visiting a hotel and will have to tip the staff members.
'Last bought shoes worth Rs 17'
He added that it irritates Shabana when he orders 20 pairs of shoes to try on at home rather than going to the store. “The last time I bought shoes myself was in the 1950s, and they cost Rs 17. I had insisted on getting crepe sole shoes, which were premium back then. My family constantly reminded me about those expensive shoes,” he recalled.
So, when he recently went shoe shopping and was told a pair cost Rs 5,500, he was stunned. “It completely baffled me,” he said.
'I want a lot of money'
'Despite his modest roots, Akhtar sees no contradiction in wanting comfort and material ease. “I want a lot of money because I want to live comfortably. I also want to help people — and I need money for that,” he stated. The veteran says that he should not be made to feel guilty of living a life of comfort and luxury.
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