Javed Akhtar Feels Bollywood Stays Silent On National Issues Due To THIS Reason
Updated on: 12 May, 2025 04:28 PM IST |Shweta Shah
Javed Akhtar on Bollywood`s biggest fear
Javed Akhtar is one of those few Bollywood celebrities who is highly opinionated about the Indian government, politics, and many national issues. He was also vocal about the country banning Pakistani artists from working across the border amid the ongoing India-Pakistan war.
In a recent interview, the screenwriter opened up about why Bollywood prefers to stay silent over political issues instead of using their voice to make a difference.
Javed Akhtar sat down for a candid chat with senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, where he mentioned that celebrities stay silent in fear of raids and investigations from agencies like the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
When Sibal asked Akhtar why celebrities stay silent when it comes to the government or national issues, while those in the West, citing Meryl Streep`s recent controversy, are rather vocal. The latter explained that the Indian film industry isn`t as big and is under the industrialist`s radar.
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Comparing the Indian film industry to Hollywood, the Padma Bhushan awardee said in Hindi, “Meryl Streep gave a statement [against the US government], but there was no income tax raid on her. Whether this insecurity is real or not, I don’t want to get into that debate. But the perception exists. If this fear exists in one’s heart, then they will worry that ED or CBI will come after them, an income tax raid may happen, their files will be opened, and they’ll be investigated."
He emphasised that this silent behavioural pattern problem persists not just in the entertainment industry but across India.
He also highlighted that Bollywood stars may be famous, but eventually, they have to stay in the same society as the commoners. “Their lives may be more lavish, but they have the same fears. I might speak up, but I understand why others remain quiet,” Akhtar explained.
Javed Akhtar is one of the few Bollywood celebs who openly criticises the Indian government. He has received endless trolls over the years for the same.
“Even my friends say, ‘Let it be. Why do you want to get into it? You are above all these things.’ Forgive me for my immodesty; I mostly feel above these, but sometimes you have to come down and tell them that, ‘No, you can’t take this liberty, and if you will, I’ll pay you back in the same coins,`" he said.
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