Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has voiced strong criticism over the functioning of film regulatory bodies in India, saying that movies reflecting the realities of society often face obstacles, while films laced with vulgarity and regressive values pass through easily.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Anantrang Mental Health Cultural Festival on Friday, Akhtar said that audience choices play a crucial role in shaping the kind of films that become successful.
“In this country, vulgarity will still be passed by the film boards. They don’t realise that these are wrong values — a male chauvinistic view that humiliates women. But what will not be passed is something that shows the mirror to society,” he said.
Akhtar emphasized that films merely mirror societal realities and cannot be blamed for them.
“A film is a window into society through which you peek. Closing the window will not fix what is happening outside,” he remarked.
🔹 On Hyper-Masculinity and Mental Health
Talking about the impact of hyper-masculine portrayals in films on mental health, Akhtar said such cinema gains popularity because society approves of it.
“It is because of the mental health of men that such films are being made. If men’s mental health improves, such films won’t be made — and even if they are, they won’t work,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with faith, he added:
“In show business, the audience is god. A bad audience makes a bad film successful.”
🔹 On Vulgar Songs and Decline of Taste
Expressing discontent over the rise of vulgar and double-meaning songs, Akhtar said he has consistently turned down such work throughout his career.
“During the 80s, many songs had double meanings, but I refused to write them. I’m not sad that people recorded them — I’m sad that those songs became superhits. That shows it’s the audience that shapes the industry,” he said.
He referred to the iconic yet controversial song ‘Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai’, saying that parents taking pride in their young daughters dancing to such tracks reflected society’s declining values.
“If these are the values of society, what can you expect from films and songs? Society is responsible — cinema is only a manifestation,” he asserted.
🔹 Praises for Film ‘Saiyaara’
Amid his critique, Akhtar praised the recent film ‘Saiyaara’, directed by Mohit Suri and starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, calling its music “refreshingly calm and soulful.”
“The music of Saiyaara has a stillness, an old charm. Today, music has become so frantic that percussion drowns the voice. When something soothing comes, it feels like shade in harsh sunlight,” he said.
🔹 On Sadness and Art
When asked whether listening to sad songs can make one more depressed, Akhtar responded philosophically:
“It’s not good to deny sadness; otherwise, it will resurface elsewhere. Earlier, every film had one or two sad songs, but now they’ve vanished because we believe ‘achhe din aa gaye hain’. This denial of sadness is unhealthy — accept it, cry if you must. That’s what keeps the mind healthy,” he added with a smile.
