Javed Akhtar at 81: Celebrating Bollywood Legend's Top 10 Iconic Films

• Javed Akhtar, the celebrated screenwriter, lyricist, and poet, turns 81, having received five National Film Awards and India's highest civilian honors, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
• His collaboration with Salim Khan as Salim-Javed produced classics like "Sholay" (1975), known for iconic characters and dialogues, and "Deewaar" (1975), defining the "Angry Young Man" trope.
• "Zanjeer" (1973) was a breakthrough, introducing a gritty hero, while "Mr India" (1987) became a beloved sci-fi superhero film.
• Post-Salim-Javed split, Akhtar showcased his versatility with solo writing for "Betaab" (1973), a youthful romance, and "Saagar" (1985), where he also penned lyrics.
• His later work includes "Lakshya" (2004), a modern classic about personal growth and the Indian Army, written for his son Farhan Akhtar.

Why It Matters: Javed Akhtar's 81st birthday marks a legacy of iconic films, from "Sholay" to "Lakshya".