‘Went Through Homelessness, Starvation…’: Javed Akhtar Recalls Arriving In Mumbai 61 Years Ago

Today marks exactly 61 years since veteran screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar arrived in Mumbai. He took to his social media to mark the day by reflecting on his incredible journey over the years. He revealed

that he arrived in Mumbai as a young 19-year-old on October 4, 1964, with just 27 paisa in his pocket. He recalled that he faced many hardships, and went through homelessness, starvation and unemployment. Despite it all, he is extremely grateful to Mumbai, the state of Maharashtra, and his country, India, for the immense kindness along his journey.

Javed Akhtar Recalls Arriving In Mumbai As A 19-Year-Old

On Saturday, Javed Akhtar took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a post that read, “On 4th October 1964 a 19 year old boy had disembarked at Bombay central station with 27 naya paisa in his pocket . Went through homelessness , starvation , unemployment but when I look at the grand total i feel life has been too kind to me . For that I can not but help but thank Mumbai , Maharashtra , my country and all those who looked at work kindly . Thank you , thank you so much.” Check out his post below!

On 4th October 1964 a 19 year old boy had disembarked at Bombay central station with 27 naya paisa in his pocket . Went through homelessness , starvation , unemployment but when I look at the grand total i feel life has been too kind to me . For that I can not but help but thank…

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 4, 2025

When Javed Akhtar Talked About His Struggles

This isn’t the first time Javed Akhtar has talked about his struggles during the initial days of his career. In an interview with Mid-Day, the 80-year-old lyricist spoke about the tough times when he had no idea where his next meal would come from or where he would sleep at night.

He said, “Maine bahut bure din dekhe hain. Naa mujhe yeh malum tha ki subah jab meri aankh khulti thi ki main kahan khaana khaaunga. Forget about the breakfast, I was thinking of the thought ki lunch mil jaaye. Naa mujhe yeh malum hota tha ki main kahan sounga (I’ve seen very difficult times. I had no idea where I would get my next meal when I woke up in the morning. Forget about breakfast — I used to wonder whether I’d even get lunch. I didn’t even know where I would sleep at night).”

He further added, “This went on for a couple of years, not just weeks or months. I only had two sets of clothes — one would be in the laundry, and I’d wear the other.”

Javed Akhtar is the recipient of five National Film Awards and even two of India’s highest civilian honours – the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan. He has written a number of hit movies, and earned his breakthrough as a screenwriter after Amitabh Bachchan’s starrer Zanjeer, released in 1973.

Alongside Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar is behind many wonders, including Andaz (1971), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), and many others. Javed Akhtar is also celebrated for his powerful lyrics, and he has won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics five times for his work in the films Saaz, Border, Godmother, Refugee, and Lagaan.