Stay Open, Keep Learning Is Javed Akhtar’s Advise On Keeping Up With The Times

MUMBAI- Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who has been a part of the film industry for decades, shared the key to staying relevant across generations.

Addressing an event organized under Spiral Bound, a writing platform created by actor Boman Irani, Javed Akhtar said one should never assume they know everything and must remain open to learning new things.

During the event, actor Aamir Khan asked the veteran writer, “You’ve worked with people of different generations, from those your own age when you began, to younger collaborators as you grew more senior. How do you remain relevant across generations?”

Sharing his perspective, Javed Akhtar said that the world belongs to the younger generation, and others must adapt to it.

He said, “When I entered the industry, I was working with my seniors. Everyone used to be older than us. Then, slowly, people our age started joining, followed by people younger than us. Now, I am working with people of my grandchildren’s age. If you are open to understanding what this generation is saying, if you don’t have this delusion that “I know the best”, you will be relevant. We have to respect people.”

“The fact is, we are overstaying. This world is theirs. This world is yours. It belongs to you. It is true that we know some things that you don’t know. But it is also true that you know many things that we don’t know. If we are open to learn from each other, then we are relevant,” he added.

Javed Akhtar’s remarks were met with applause from the audience.

Sharing a clip from the event on social media, actor Boman Irani wrote, “When you’re surrounded by people who have seen decades of change… you listen more carefully. On stage with Javed Akhtar saab, we spoke about what it means to stay relevant. And the answer was disarmingly simple…stay open, keep learning, and don’t shy away from change….

I think that stayed with everyone in the room. (sic).” (IANS)