Here’s why Javed Akhtar feels only he can pen Sahir Ludhianvi biopic

It has been more than a decade since renowned screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has not written any film. His last movie as a screenwriter was Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006), starring superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. The film was directed by his son Farhan Akhtar.

Recently, Javed Akhtar was present at the launch of the show Living Legends With Komal Nahta, where he spoke about legendary poet Sahir Ludhianvi in detail. Akhtar said that he is the only person who can accurately represent the great poet in a biopic, due to his personal connection with him.

“He was a friend of my father and my mamu’s (maternal uncle) friend. He used to meet with a lot of love and affection. I shared a great bond with him. If anyone can make a film on him or his life, it is only me because no one knew him that well as I know him. Those who did know him are not alive,” said Javed Akhtar.

For the uninitiated, renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been working on a biopic on the life of Sahir Ludhianvi for a long time now. Despite his several attempts, the project is yet to take off.

From Shah Rukh Khan to Irrfan Khan, several actors’ names have cropped up for the role of Ludhianvi in his biopic, but there has never been any official announcement. Latest casting rumours suggest that Abhishek Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu have been approached for the movie. While Junior Bachchan has been approached to play Sahir Ludhianvi, Pannu is expected to essay the role of his love interest and great poetess Amrita Pritam.

An official announcement is awaited though.