Bollywood lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar has spoken out against lewd lyrics being written for songs these days. He called for the creation of an official body, which monitors and censors obscene lyrics from songs, reported bollywood.com.
“It’s terrible. Vulgarity, obscenity and perversion are simply not acceptable in the music industry. As a matter of fact, I suggest that the way films are censored, songs should also be censored before the release of the music,” said the 69-year-old. “Usually, songs are released before the film goes to the Censor Board and even if the songs are omitted from the film by the board for vulgar lyrics, they continue to play everywhere. This must stop.”
On the question of whether he has been asked to write vulgar lyrics for songs, he said, “Yes, and I have walked out of those ventures every time that has happened. I would never do it because my songs are in the public domain.”
The former scriptwriter, who is currently penning lyrics of the tracks for his daughter’s upcoming film Dil Dhadakne Do, believes it is due to the low quality of lyrics that songs don’t have recall value these days. “Today, the focus is more on the tempo of the beats, which comes at the cost of the subject of the song and that’s a bad deal,” he commented.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2014.
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Mr Akhtar I couldn't agree with you more!
Thank you for this statement!
We should also censor all the thieves like Javed Akhtar who cant penned anything of their own but have to steal from other lyricist and copy their ideas. Who is this man to judge who has no credibility who is cheat himself. We should ask Salim Khan who was part of his team what kind of talent this pseudo fraud he is. If no one has been able to censor his stolen lyrics hence there should be no censorship on anybody.
This coming from the writer of 'Dard-e-Disco'. Pointlessness is just as vulgar.
Songs with cheap religious connotations should also be avoided lest they hurt peoples sentiments.
Totally agree with Javed Akhtar Sahab. Very well said!!
why should be banned. It is the trend of the society and trend of the Indian culture. I have seen some famous Indian comedy show they start their program with discussing vulgarly BAD SMELLS supported by music tones. Whole audience is very happy and clapping. After creating such atmosphere they feel it a good start.
I whole-heartedly agree, I don't like how ten year olds are singing, 'tonight besharmi ki night' at the top of their lungs and many songs as such. What bakwass, no modesty left, atleast songs before were decent enough and the few that had vulgar content could be censored from the children but for a five year old to sing such lyrics( shows how much India has strayed from writing meaningful song lyrics. This should definitely get an upvote. I support Javed sahab completely.
Age is catching up with Javed at last! India has a very old tradition of folk songs full of raunchiness & double entendre. Some "item songs" have been inspired by them. Some of the loftiest verses of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidaas would be outright vulgar by standards of Javed's newfound puritanism. As a man of films he should know its the picturization that matters. Lyricist may simply say: lub-dub goes my heart, aflutter it is. But the way the actor adds anatomical embellishments to it while filming, as Madhuri did, matters far more.
In general I disagree with censorship. But if we are going to censor a movie, we should censor songs as well.