Veteran Indian screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar, who recently returned from Pakistan after his controversial 26/11 Mumbai attacks remarks in the neighbouring country, said that he feels like he has won the third World War.
Akhtar was in Lahore earlier this week to attend the Faiz Mela, a festival in the memory of legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
There, Akhtar had stated that terrorists involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks were still roaming free on Pakistani soil and it has now caused a huge uproar between the two countries.
Javed Akhtar addresses the controversy
During an interaction with ABP post his return to India, Akhtar said that his comments in Pakistan have been blown out of proportion and it has become embarrassing for him now.
"When I came here, I felt like I won the third World War. I just stopped taking calls. I was embarrassed that aisa maine kya teer maar diya. I had to say these things. Should we keep quiet?" he said.
He went on to say that if he is not scared of commenting on controversial and sensitive issues in his own country India, then why would he be afraid about anything in Pakistan.
Javed Akhtar's Lahore visit
During his visit to Lahore, Akhtar also took potshots at Pakistan for not being welcoming to Indian artists.
He noted that Pakistani artists like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Mehdi Hassan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan have always been welcomed in India, but the same has never been the case with the neighbouring country. He cited the example of Lata Mangeshkar and stated that she was never invited in the country for any event.
Akhtar mentioned that while there sure is a communication blockade between both the countries, it is more from Pakistan's side.
