Veteran Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar has landed himself in hot water yet again — and this time, Pakistani celebrities aren’t staying silent.
While speaking at a book launch, Akhtar stirred controversy with a biting comment:
“One side calls me a non-believer doomed to hell, the other brands me a jihadi and tells me to go to Pakistan. If I had to choose between Pakistan and hell, I’d choose hell.”
The crowd clapped — but the internet clapped back.
As the video made rounds on social media, backlash erupted from all corners of Pakistan. Leading the charge, PPP’s Sharmila Faruqi and actress Zhalay Sarhadi condemned Akhtar’s remarks, calling them hateful and reckless.
“Such statements only deepen the divide between two countries,” they warned, adding that public figures need to weigh their words carefully, especially on such sensitive issues.
Actress Mishi Khan didn’t hold back either. Taking a jab at local artists who once admired Akhtar, she said, “Take those fans with you who once worshipped you here.”
Imran Abbas, who previously hosted Akhtar in Pakistan, didn’t mince words:
“We treated him like royalty — clearly, he wasn’t worth it.”
Online, users echoed the sentiment, slamming Akhtar for spewing “poison” and demanding a permanent ban on such guests.
