Javed Akhtar has once again spoken openly about religion, faith and the way people develop their beliefs. In a recent conversation with Saurabh Dwivedi for Express Hindi, the veteran screenwriter and lyricist questioned whether people genuinely choose their religion or simply inherit it from their families.
Known for expressing his views on subjects beyond cinema, Javed said that a large majority of people continue following the religion they were born into. He also explained why he believes ideas should be examined through logic and reason rather than accepted simply because they come from a person or authority.
1. Javed Akhtar Questions Inherited Religion
One of Javed Akhtar’s main points was that religious identity is often determined by the circumstances of a person’s birth.
According to the lyricist, most people follow the religion they were born into and continue with the beliefs taught to them by their parents. He used this observation to question how often people independently examine the faith they inherit during childhood.
Javed has previously spoken about a similar approach while discussing how he raised his children. He recalled that his son Farhan Akhtar once asked him as a child whether their family was Muslim. Javed said he did not introduce a specific religion to his children and instead wanted them to understand that being born into a particular community does not determine a person’s worth.
2. He Says People Trust an Idea, Not a Person
Javed also explained the difference he sees between his own approach and that of people who follow a particular faith.
He said that his approach is based on trusting an idea, along with logic and reason, rather than placing unquestioning trust in a person. He argued that people can change their opinions, which is why he believes the idea itself should be examined independently.
The writer also pointed out that religious people may place trust in teachings received from their parents or from religious figures. He stressed that different religions contain different beliefs and ideas, rather than treating them as identical.
His comments were part of a broader discussion about how people form convictions and why some beliefs remain unquestioned for generations.
3. Javed Akhtar Says Faith Can Offer Comfort
While questioning religious beliefs, Javed did acknowledge that faith can provide emotional comfort during difficult periods.
He discussed the reassurance people may receive from believing that a higher power is watching over them. However, he questioned whether the emotional comfort provided by such a belief should itself be considered evidence that the belief is true.
To explain his point, Javed used an analogy involving billionaire Elon Musk. He suggested that even believing something unlikely could make a person feel secure if they convinced themselves that a huge financial benefit was coming their way.
For Javed, therefore, feeling comforted by an idea and establishing whether that idea is actually true are two different things.
Javed Akhtar Has Long Spoken About Atheism
Javed Akhtar’s comments are consistent with his long-publicly stated position on religion. The veteran writer has described himself as an atheist for years and has frequently participated in discussions about faith, reason and spirituality.
On his official website, Javed has previously discussed his atheism and clarified that his intention in such conversations is to examine ideas rather than attack individuals.
His views have also featured prominently in recent public discussions. In December 2025, he participated in a widely discussed debate with Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi on the existence of God, where the two debated faith, reason, morality and the question of God's existence.
Javed Akhtar Continues to Speak His Mind
Whether discussing cinema, society, religion or personal beliefs, Javed Akhtar has remained known for expressing his opinions directly. His latest comments once again focus on a fundamental question: how much of what people believe is personally examined, and how much is simply inherited?
His argument is that ideas should be evaluated on their own merits rather than accepted solely because they were passed down by family or associated with a trusted authority.
The remarks have added another chapter to Javed Akhtar’s long-running public conversations about faith, reason and individual thought.
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