Javed Akhtar's Brother Salman Akhtar On Why They Are Not In Touch: 'There Are Matters That Can't Be...'

Many do not seem to know that the legendary lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar has a younger brother, Salman Akhtar, who’s not just an author but also a psychoanalyst. But the brothers haven’t been on speaking terms due to some unresolved issues. In a recent chat with The Lallantop, Salman talked about their ongoing feud and whether there’s any hope for reconciliation.

When asked about mentioning his big brother Javed in his book Ghar Ka Bhedi, despite their silence, Salman had some interesting thoughts. Salman Akhtar noted that he writes about heavyweights like Sigmund Freud, Donald Winnicott, and Faiz, even though he’s never met any of them. “So, to write about him (Javed), but not having met him is no contradiction in my opinion.

Both things are possible, no?” he said. When asked if they could patch things up, Salman said that if Javed Saab, Zoya and Farhan Akhtar’s dad, wants to talk, “that’s a good choice because I am a pretty decent person.” While they haven’t spoken in years, the siblings continue to stay connected ‘intuitively’, he said.

Salman opened up about the feud that’s keeping them apart, saying that many issues are complicated and involve history. “They have fine tendrils, emotions, and history. They are not matters which can be discussed in a broad public way,” he said.

Salman Akhtar said that the National Award-winning lyricist is very educated, smart, and witty, as well as a great poet. He pointed out that the screenplay writer k.