Quips no more: Javed Akhtar says he’d rather go to Hell than Pakistan

WEB DESK: Veteran Indian lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has yet again sparked controversy with his stark remarks about Pakistan amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. When asked to choose between India or Pakistan, he equated the latter with Hell.

Speaking at a literary event, the 78-year-old writer known for his progressive views unless it is about the neighbour Pakistan, addressed the persistent online abuse he faces from hardliners on both sides of the border. “One side calls me a kaafir [infidel] who belongs in jahannum [hell], while the other labels me a ‘jihadi’ who should migrate to Pakistan,” Akhtar said, referencing the polarised reactions to his political commentary.

In an attempt to be witty he added: “If those are my only two options, I’d choose hell over Pakistan.” The remark drew mixed reactions from the audience, with some applauding his defiance while others criticised the hyperbole.

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Akhtar, whose career spans five decades in Bollywood, has long been a target of online vitriol. Indian right-wing trolls frequently accuse him of being “anti-national” for his secular stance, while others condemned him for not being outspoken enough against New Delhi’s policies. “This is the crossfire of being rational in an irrational climate,” he remarked wryly.

The lyricist, who co-wrote iconic films like Sholay and Deewar, has previously advocated for India-Pakistan cultural ties, making his latest comments particularly striking. Akhtar visited Pakistan two-years ago, and was hosted warmly by the people of Lahore, but recent escalations between both countries has led the artist to spew hatred against Pakistan.