Javed Akhtar at 81: Timeless Verses That Heal Broken Hearts

Renowned lyricist, poet and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, widely regarded as one of India’s greatest wordsmiths, turned 81 on January 17, 2026. Born on January 17, 1945, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Javed Akhtar has spent decades shaping the emotional and literary landscape of Indian cinema and poetry with his powerful words.

Often described as a magician of words, Akhtar’s poetry has touched generations across age, time and language. His verses speak of love, loss, loneliness and the harsh truths of life in simple yet deeply profound language. When heartbreak renders emotions speechless, his poetry becomes the voice of that silence.

What sets Javed Akhtar apart is his ability to confront pain without romanticising it, while still offering strength and understanding. His lines do not hide sorrow; instead, they help people accept it, endure it and slowly heal. Perhaps this is why his poetry feels like a balm for wounded hearts—giving even tears the courage to smile again.

Some of his most memorable couplets that continue to resonate deeply include:

“In charaagon mein tel hi kam tha, Kyun gila phir humein hawa se rahe.”
(When the lamps themselves lacked oil, why blame the wind?)

“Hum to bachpan mein bhi akele the, Sirf dil ki gali mein khele the.”
(Even in childhood, I was alone, playing only in the lanes of my heart.)

“Chhod kar jis ko gaye the aap koi aur tha, Ab main koi aur hoon, wapas to aa kar dekhiye.”
(The one you left behind was someone else; I am someone else now—come back and see.)

“Bandh gayi thi dil mein kuch umeed si, Khair tumne jo kiya achha kiya.”
(Some hope had taken root in my heart; well, what you did turned out to be right.)

“Dard ke phool bhi khilte hain bikhar jaate hain, Zakhm kaise bhi hon kuch roz mein bhar jaate hain.”
(Flowers of pain bloom and scatter too; wounds, no matter how deep, heal with time.)

From romantic longing to existential reflection, Akhtar’s poetry mirrors life in all its contradictions. His words remind readers that heartbreak is not the end, that pain is temporary, and that self-discovery often follows loss.

As Javed Akhtar celebrates another milestone year, his verses continue to offer comfort, clarity and courage—proving once again that great poetry does not just describe emotions, it heals them.