Javed Akhtar
| Photo Credit: India Today Group/Getty Images
Veteran screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar was honoured with the Dostoevsky Star Award by the Russian House on June 6 in Mumbai. The award is presented for his role in promoting cultural dialogue and preserving literary heritage.
At 80, Akhtar reflected on the personal significance of receiving an award named after one of his early literary influences. “Dostoevsky is one of the most respected novelists and journalists. In our Khandala house, we have his portrait on the door of our study,” he shared. “I don’t think any Indian writer has received the Dostoevsky Star Award before.”
As part of the felicitation, a book of Akhtar’s poems translated into Russian by Ramdas Akella was also released during the event. Akhtar, who grew up reading Russian literature in Urdu and English translation, credited writers like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Anton Chekhov, and Maxim Gorky for shaping his narrative sensibilities. He highlighted the long-standing mutual admiration between Indian and Russian literary traditions, noting how both cultures have influenced each other through translated works.
Akhtar’s wife, actor Shabana Azmi, took to social media to share the moment. Posting a photo of the ceremony, she wrote, “Another big honour for Javed Akhtar as he received the Dostoevsky Star Award! This year, the Russian House is deeply honoured to award the renowned poet, lyricist and public intellectual Mr Javed Akhtar.”
Known for his iconic contributions to Indian cinema, Akhtar co-wrote classics such as Zanjeer, Sholay, Mashaal, and Lakshya, and has also been recognised for his lyrical work in countless Hindi films. Over the years, he has received five National Film Awards for Best Lyrics, the Padma Shri in 1999, the Padma Bhushan in 2007, and the Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for his poetry collection Lava. In 2020, he became the first Indian to receive the Richard Dawkins Award for his commitment to rationalism and critical thought.
Published – June 09, 2025 10:51 am IST