A controversy has erupted involving singer Lucky Ali and veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, following the resurfacing of an old video clip of Akhtar discussing religious dynamics in India. The singer initially responded to the video with harsh criticism, but later appeared to offer a tongue-in-cheek apology.
The controversy began when a video of Javed Akhtar circulated widely on social media. In the video, Akhtar, known for his outspoken views, addresses the Hindu-Muslim dynamic and religious radicalism, urging Hindus to avoid adopting extremist attitudes similar to those seen among radicalized Muslims. He referenced a scene from the film Sholay, which he co-wrote, to illustrate his point. According to Akhtar, the scene, where Dharmendra hides behind a Shiv Ji statue and speaks, making Hema Malini believe the deity is talking to her, might not be possible to write today. He also stated that people are becoming like Muslims, which he considers a tragedy.
Lucky Ali responded to the clip on X (formerly Twitter) with strong disapproval. In a post, Ali wrote, "Don't become like Javed Akhtar, never original and ugly as f**k". This blunt criticism quickly gained traction, stirring debate online.
However, the singer followed up with another post that seemed to be a clarification and a form of apology. Ali stated, "what I meant was that arrogance is ugly.... it was a mistaken communique' on my part.... monsters may have feelings too and I apologise if I hurt anyones monstrosity". This response was interpreted by some as sarcastic, while others saw it as a genuine attempt to walk back his initial harsh statement.
The exchange has reignited discussions about religion, artistic freedom, and the expression of opinions on social media. Akhtar has often faced polarized reactions for his views on communalism and religious bigotry. In the past, he has stated that some individuals have labeled him a "jihadi" and told him to migrate to Pakistan, while others have called him a "kafir" and said he would go to hell.
Lucky Ali himself has faced controversy in the past. In 2023, he received criticism for claiming that the Sanskrit word "Brahman" was derived from "Abram," a claim widely disputed. He later deleted the post and apologized. Ali has also been involved in a cheque bounce case related to a land deal.
In an interview with Times of India, Ali spoke about today's reactionary culture, saying that people should not get triggered so easily and should evaluate what they listen to instead of simply reacting.
