Renowned lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar announced that his account on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) was hacked. A “totally harmless” message regarding the Indian contingent for the Paris Olympics 2024 was posted under his name without his authorization. Akhtar, who uses the platform to share his views on various topics, informed his followers about the breach on Sunday night.
In his message, Akhtar clarified that the post was not sent by him and assured his 4.6 million followers that they are in the process of lodging a complaint with the relevant authorities at X. Although he did not specify when he discovered the security breach or the exact content of the unauthorized post, his prompt communication indicates his commitment to maintaining the integrity of his account.
Akhtar’s bio on X describes him as “A poet, lyricist, scriptwriter, atheist and a die-hard optimist,” and his handle is “@Javedakhtarjadu”.
While The story of Amitabh Bachchan’s skepticism about signing ‘Zanjeer’ adds a fascinating layer to the legendary actor’s journey. Before this pivotal film, Bachchan was often cast in roles that highlighted his softer side, such as poets, doctors, and writers. The idea of portraying an “Angry Young Man” was a significant departure from his previous roles, and understandably, he questioned whether he could convincingly embody such a character.
Javed Akhtar, along with his writing partner Salim Khan, saw the potential in Bachchan that he himself wasn’t sure of. Akhtar’s anecdote about persuading Bachchan to take on the role without discussing terms and conditions highlights his confidence in Bachchan’s abilities. His encouragement, “Nobody can do it better than you,” proved prophetic.
‘Zanjeer,’ directed by Prakash Mehra, indeed became a landmark film in Hindi cinema. Its release in 1973 not only established Amitabh Bachchan as the quintessential “Angry Young Man” but also redefined the portrayal of heroes in Bollywood. The film’s depiction of a self-righteous cop who takes justice into his own hands struck a chord with the audience and paved the way for a new genre of action films.
The impact of ‘Zanjeer’ on Bachchan’s career was monumental. The character’s iconic dialogue, “Jab tak baithne ko na kaha jaaye sharafat se khade raho. Yeh police station hai tumhare baap ka ghar nahi,” remains etched in the memories of fans, symbolizing the assertive and morally uncompromising persona that Bachchan would come to be known for.
In essence, ‘Zanjeer’ was not just a film but a cultural milestone that transformed Amitabh Bachchan from a struggling actor into a megastar, altering the course of Bollywood cinema forever.
My X ID is hacked . There is a message ostensibly from my account about our Indian team for Olympics . It is totally harmless but not sent by me . We are in the process of complaining to the concern authorities in X .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) July 28, 2024