Overview
- Shabana Azmi marked the milestone with a public wish for his health and continued passion, sharing a tribute and speaking to ANI.
- Akhtar reiterated concerns that filmmakers avoid social issues, saying many now hide behind romance, mysteries, ghost stories and sex.
- He said the failure of Lakshya influenced his long pause from screenplays but stated he intends to return to screenplay writing this year.
- Coverage revisited his transformative Salim–Javed era with films like Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay, Don and Mr India, and noted five National Film Awards plus Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan honors.
- Retrospectives also recalled his early struggles in Mumbai, his later work as a lyricist and poet, and his advocacy for creators’ rights during his Rajya Sabha tenure.