Javed Akhtar, one of the most renowned lyricists and scriptwriters, came to Mumbai in 1964. He had a humble start in the city of dreams, working for different filmmakers during the early stages of his career. Doing the rounds of studios with only the shirt on his back, being paid less than a peon, and not knowing where his next meal would come from — that was Javed Akhtar’s life between 1965 and 1970. What kept him going? The belief that success would eventually be his.

`Got paid less than a peon in first film’

Recalling his early career in Mumbai during a conversation with Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Javed Akhtar said, “My first boss was Mr. Kamal Amrohi. He paid me Rs 50 for the role of assistant. The peon in that office used to get Rs 80. And I was the only one who could write in English. But then the picture came to a halt, and I didn’t even have the Rs 50-a-month job anymore.”