• Javed Akhtar, a renowned Bollywood screenwriter, reflects on the darkest phase in Hindi cinema in the 80s.
• He cites the rise of double-meaning songs and the popularity of absurd and vulgar songs.
• He later decided to avoid writing absurd or double-meaning lyrics due to ethical standards.

Javed Akhtar is one of the most acclaimed screenwriters in Bollywood, rising to fame since the 70s. In a recent conversation, the literary icon revealed that he considers the 80s the darkest phase in Hindi cinema because many double-meaning songs emerged during that time. Consequently, he wrote only one song for Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, which became the film’s title. Later, he began to avoid writing absurd or double-meaning lyrics due to his ethical standards. However, he now regrets not working more on the film.

Javed Ji recently appeared on Sapan Verma’s YouTube channel, “Chill Sesh”, and recalled that phase of his career. The iconic screenwriter, one of Bollywood’s most recognized lyricists, explained the incident in detail. He collaborated with Salim Khan during the 1970s, and together they wrote successful films from that era, including “Sholay”, “Don”, “Zanjeer”, “Deewar”, and more. Later, the duo split in 1982.

Javed Akhtar recalled the 80s as a dark phase in Bollywood writing. He described how absurd and vulgar songs gained popularity during that time. Upholding his principles, he decided to avoid being part of such writing.

In his words, “I consider the ’80s to be the darkest time for Hindi cinema. People were either writing double-meaning songs or songs with no meaning at all. I avoided films that, in any way, had lyrics I found absurd or vulgar.”

Later, when Javed Akhtar wrote the song “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” for Karan Johar’s film, Johar chose the film’s title from the song. However, Akhtar refused to write any more songs for the project, believing it to be one of those absurd films that didn’t align with his principles at the time.

He candidly admitted, “This principle led me to turn down a very successful film—Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I had written the first song for it, but when Karan decided on the title, I refused to work on a film with that name. I thought, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai… kya hota hai? I regret it now, but at that time, I refused.”

Despite the confusion, Javed Akhtar collaborated with Karan Johar on his 2003 film “Kal Ho Naa Ho”. “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji, became a massive critical and commercial hit. Similarly, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” also became one of the most memorable films in Bollywood history.

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