Dawn Images

Javed Akhtar is in his word-vomit era, and we’re not talking about ‘Dard-e-Disco’. The Indian screenwriter and lyricist, who appears to thrive on occasional bouts of headline-hogging commentary, recently said he’d rather go to hell than Pakistan. This, coming from someone who’s spent a considerable part of the last decade basking in standing ovations at Pakistani literature festivals, feels a bit rich.

“People from both sides abuse me,” he said at the launch of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s new book Narkatla Swarg in Mumbai on Saturday. “One calls me a kaafir, saying I will go to hell. The other calls me a jihadi, asking me to go to Pakistan. So, if I only have a choice of going either to hell or to Pakistan, I would rather like to go to hell.”

To his credit, he did add that he receives praise too, not just vitriol. But that didn’t soften the blow of the comment — especially given the country’s history of hosting and honouring him.

Needless to say, Pakistanis weren’t amused. Most told him he was most welcome to go where he pleased.

Actor Zhalay Sarhadi responded with a biting one-liner, “You are there sir! The choice was made for you. Also, stop with the Pakistan obsession. Many other countries out there that would, most definitely, also not want you.”

Sharmila Faruqui gave him a more diplomatic dressing down, “To say you’d choose hell over Pakistan doesn’t insult Pakistan — it only exposes the venom within you. Pakistan’s worth isn’t measured by the bitterness of those who have long abandoned fairness and grace. This land is far greater than your hate, and will outlive your spite.”

Actor Ahsan Mohsin Ikram was less forgiving. Taking to his Instagram stories, he wrote, “A moment of silence for all those Pakistani celebrities who welcomed this man with open arms. Shame on all those celebrities — you gave respect to a man who has no respect for the country you belong to. Just for your personal benefit, you welcomed him. Shame!”

Ikram’s pointed comments reference Akhtar’s 2023 visit to Pakistan, during which, despite his history of controversial statements, he was welcomed warmly by many in the local elite — a scene that resurfaced after his “one-way traffic” comment.

Akhtar’s comments are especially strange considering how often he has been hosted here, not under duress or protest, but as a celebrated guest. His past appearances at literature festivals and cultural events in Pakistan have been met with packed halls, glowing praise, and reverence for his contributions to poetry and film.

Akhtar’s timing couldn’t have been worse. Last week, India and Pakistan were on the brink of war. In this charged atmosphere, his quip about preferring hell over Pakistan doesn’t just read as a personal grievance, it echoes the rhetoric of the Modi regime. By making such a statement, he risks lending his voice to narratives that fuel division and conflict, rather than promoting the cultural understanding he once championed.

Not long before this latest jab, Akhtar had publicly lamented the lack of reciprocity from Pakistan when it comes to artistic collaborations. “We have received their artists with open arms,” he had said, pointing to India’s embrace of legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hasan. “But this has never been reciprocated [by the Pakistani establishment].”

This leads us to wonder, which one is it — the longing for cross-border cultural exchange or declarations about hell and Pakistan being interchangeable?

Maybe it’s not about Pakistan at all. Maybe it’s about staying in the headlines and using any means to stay there.