Javed Akhtar Refuses to Pen Songs for ‘Border 2’, Slams Remakes as “Lazy and Intellectually Bankrupt”
Legendary lyricist urges filmmakers to create original music instead of rehashing iconic hits from the 1997 classic.
Mumbai, Jan 20 : Fans eagerly awaiting the sequel to the iconic war drama Border were surprised when legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar revealed he declined to write songs for Border 2. The 1997 film’s unforgettable soundtrack, composed by Anu Malik with lyrics by Akhtar, had set high expectations for the sequel.
Speaking to India Today, Akhtar explained his decision, calling the approach of reusing old hits “intellectually and creatively bankrupt.” “They asked me to write for the film, but I refused. I really feel this is a kind of intellectual and creative bankruptcy,” he said, making it clear he does not support merely revamping past successes.
The sequel has leaned heavily on nostalgia, with several original songs reworked and released ahead of the film. Social media users had called for the return of Akhtar and Malik, hoping for the magic of the 1997 soundtrack to be recreated.
Akhtar urged filmmakers to focus on originality. “Why take an old song that did well and just add something to it? Make new songs, or else accept that you cannot match the original. Recreating the past isn’t the same as creating something new,” he said.
Citing Haqeeqat (1964) as an example, Akhtar noted that even classics didn’t rely on previous hits. “Those were brilliant songs, but we didn’t reuse them. We wrote new ones, and people loved them. If you’re making a new movie, why not make new songs?” he added.
Akhtar believes that depending on past glory is not only lazy but also creatively limiting. “You are making a movie again, so create new songs. Why are you depending on the past? Accept the past glory and move forward,” he concluded.
