Overview

• Javed Akhtar attributes Bollywood's reluctance to criticize the government to fears of investigations by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department.
• Speaking on Kapil Sibal’s YouTube channel, Akhtar contrasted Bollywood’s cautious stance with Hollywood’s openness, mentioning Meryl Streep’s criticism of the US government without facing institutional backlash.
• Akhtar emphasized that the fear of retaliation, whether real or perceived, deters public figures from speaking out, as they worry about potential scrutiny of their finances and activities.
• He noted that Bollywood celebrities, despite their fame, share the same societal anxieties as ordinary citizens, living under similar socio-political conditions.
• Positioning himself as one of Bollywood’s few vocal critics, Akhtar acknowledged the challenges others face and described his own experiences of backlash, including social media trolling.