Javed Akhtar says Bollywood is scared

Javed Akhtar, the renowned Bollywood lyricist, stands out as one of the few outspoken figures in the Indian film industry who openly criticizes the Central Government. While his dissent is rare, he doesn’t appear to harbor any resentment toward fellow industry members, including top actors, for not speaking out in the same way he does.

He remarked, "Meryl Streep made a statement against the US government, but there was no income tax raid on her. I won’t dive into whether the fear is real or not, but there’s definitely a perception of it. If that fear, that sense of terror, exists within someone, they may worry about facing an ED (Enforcement Directorate) or CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) investigation, an income tax raid, or having their personal files exposed."

In a recent interview, Akhtar explained that the lack of dissent in Bollywood doesn’t necessarily come from within the industry but from outside influences. "Though they work in the film industry, they are part of society just like everyone else. Their profession may involve more glamour, but they are still regular people," he said.

It’s worth mentioning that in 2017, Meryl Streep used her Golden Globe acceptance speech to deliver a sharp critique of US President Donald Trump, expressing her dismay over his mocking of a disabled reporter during his campaign. "There was one performance this year that stunned me," Streep said as she received the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.