Veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar has shared his thoughts on the ongoing conversation about propaganda films in Indian cinema. While attending an event for a jewellery brand in the city where he received a special award, he specifically addressed the praise and criticism around recent releases, including Dhurandhar.
Akhtar was vocal in his support for the film, sharing his appreciation for the storytelling. Expressing his personal take on the project, he told reporters, “I don’t know what you mean by propaganda films. I loved Dhurandhar, which was an excellent film. I loved the first one more than the second one.”
The veteran screenwriter used the opportunity to challenge the negative label often attached to films that carry a strong message or viewpoint. He argued that every piece of art naturally reflects the perspective of its creator. According to him, an artist has a fundamental right to share their ideas.
He questioned the logic behind labelling specific narratives as propaganda, saying, “Every story takes some stand, but does it become propaganda because the narrative isn’t suited to a section of the audience? Everyone has the right to propagate his ideas. What is wrong with propaganda films? The task of every filmmaker is to present the truth.”
Further expanding on his philosophy of cinema, Akhtar mentioned that even the simplest stories or fairy tales are not neutral and often contain underlying ideologies.
He explained that films act as a reflection of the world around them, changing as society does. When asked if he would recreate a classic like Deewar in the modern era, he replied in the negative, mentioning that the shift in societal values makes it impossible. He said, “Films are like mirrors. With the passage of time, morality changes, and aspirations change. As society changes, content changes.” Looking toward the future, Javed Akhtar expressed his desire to create a mainstream film that appeals to both class and mass audiences.
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