From 20 Naye Paise to Iconic Stardom: Javed Akhtar Recalls the Struggle of His Early Mumbai Days
Before he became a legendary screenwriter and a celebrated voice in Indian poetry, Javed Akhtar was a penniless teenager navigating the unforgiving streets of Bombay. Arriving in the city in 1964 at just 19 years old, Akhtar spent six grueling years fighting for a foothold in the Hindi film industry, often going days without a proper meal.
In a recent interview on Let’s Talk with Devna G, the veteran writer opened up about his formative years, revealing a level of deprivation that would have broken most, yet never once prompted him to consider a “Plan B.”
A Dream Deflected
Akhtar’s journey began with a clear, albeit narrow, objective. Fresh out of college, he was determined to join the film industry as an assistant to legendary directors Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt. However, destiny had other plans.
“Guru Dutt died perhaps six or seven days after I reached Bombay,” Akhtar recalled. As for Raj Kapoor, the young aspirant was so disconnected from the industry’s inner circles that he didn’t even set foot inside the iconic RK Studio for five years after arriving in the city.
The Survival Struggle
Without a mentor or a consistent income, Akhtar’s life became a series of precarious survival tactics. He relied on intermittent ghostwriting gigs—often penning comedic scenes for Rs 100 each—and the generosity of friends.
The struggle was so visceral that on one occasion, a producer disappeared with a promised payment of Rs 1,000, leaving Akhtar stranded in Dadar with only 20 naye paise to his name. Faced with the choice of a bus fare home to Bandra or food, he chose the latter, buying chana and embarking on a long, hungry trek home on foot.
The Power of “Ignorant” Faith
What stands out most in Akhtar’s recollection is his unwavering self-belief. Despite experiencing homelessness and periods of extreme hunger, he claims the thought of giving up—or even suicide—never crossed his mind.
“I had complete faith,” he admitted. He remembers walking past the Kohinoor Mill during his hungriest days and convinced himself that one day he would drive past the same spot in a car. He attributes this persistence not to some grand vision, but to a kind of youthful “stupidity.” “It was stupidity that helped me. That stupidity saved me,” he joked.
From Struggle to Stardom
The tide finally turned for Akhtar in January 1970. His partnership with Salim Khan would eventually change the course of Hindi cinema, giving the industry iconic blockbusters like Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay, and Don.
Today, as one of the most respected figures in literature and film, Akhtar’s story serves as a testament to the iron will required to survive the “city of dreams.” His journey from those 20 naye paise to the heights of stardom remains one of Bollywood’s most compelling tales of perseverance.
