Javed Akhtar on today’s women: She is a scuba diver, single, independent and happy

Eminent poet, writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar recently attended the Jaipur Literature Festival. The event is known to merge many renowned scholars together who share their insights and exchange values for a more creative and enriching perspective. Akhtar, apart from discussing the present trend of film-making in Bollywood and Hollywood, opened up on the Bengaluru mass molestation case.

He said it would not be wise of us to attribute such shameful incidents to the influence of Western culture.

“Segregated societies where people live in inhuman conditions create anger and perversions. Today, the have-nots are unhappy with the treatment meted out to them,” Akhtar stated.

Also Read: LOL! This is how Javed Akhtar used to scold Farhan Akhtar in his childhood

“In our country, a boy enters adulthood without ever having spoken a word to any woman, except his sister and mother,” he pointed out.

On New Year’s eve, at various venues in Bengaluru, women who came down on the streets to welcome the new year in new spirit were groped and molested. While the country burst out in rage, a part of politicians blamed on their Western outfits for provoking men.

“Long gone are the days of a meek and weak ‘adarsh nari,’ we now have characters like that of Laila, she is a scuba diver, single, independent and happy. Can you imagine that 60 years ago,” the poet said, referring to Katrina Kaif’s character in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’.

That comes as a heave of relief amidst a time full of uncalled judgments!

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Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.