Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has been honoured with the Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award. Akhtar received the honor in Mumbai on October 26 at an event which marked the 28th anniversary of Hridayesh Arts and the 80th birthday of veteran music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Akhtar said that receiving the award was one of his highest honors as it comes from the Mangeshkar family.
“I had taken my first award for Zanjeer in this very hall. But all those awards are on one side? And I’ve received many? But this one is the most special. To get an award from Mangeshkar family is unbelievable, you can’t think of India’s music without them,” he said.
Akhtar, 72, recalled how Lata Mangeshkar played a pivotal role in his journey as a lyricist.
“Yash Chopra sahab came to my house and said he was making Silsila and I should write the songs… I refused, saying I write poetry only for myself and script writing is enough.
