Javed Akhtar slams Border 2 for reworking original songs, calls it ‘creative bankruptcy’

javed akhtar on Border 2

• Javed Akhtar declined to write for Border 2, criticizing its reuse of old songs
• He called the remake trend "intellectual and creative bankruptcy" in Bollywood
• Border 2 features Sunny Deol and revisits the 1971 India–Pakistan war

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Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has spoken out against the creative choices behind Border 2, expressing clear disappointment over the decision to reuse and rework songs from the 1997 classic Border.

Javed Akhtar, who wrote the unforgettable lyrics for the original film, revealed that he was approached to contribute to the sequel but chose to turn it down, feeling strongly about the direction the project was taking.

As the makers began unveiling songs from Border 2 ahead of its January 23 release, many listeners were swept up in nostalgia.

However, it did not take long for fans to notice that several tracks sounded strikingly familiar, closely resembling the original songs written by Javed Akhtar nearly 30 years ago.

This sparked a wider conversation online about originality, creativity, and the growing habit of revisiting past successes in Bollywood.

In a candid interview with India Today, Javed Akhtar explained why he wanted no part in the sequel. Without mincing words, he criticised the tendency to lean on old material instead of creating something fresh. “I really feel this is a kind of intellectual and creative bankruptcy,” he said, making his frustration clear.

Javed Akhtar also questioned the need to tamper with songs that had already achieved iconic status. In his view, some music belongs to a particular time and emotion and should be left untouched. “Make new songs or else accept that you cannot do the same level of work,” he added, urging filmmakers to either rise to the challenge or move forward honestly.

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Speaking more broadly about the remake culture in Hindi cinema, Javed Akhtar reflected on society’s obsession with the past. “Whatever is bygone, let that be. What is the need to recreate it? Why are you depending on the past? You have accepted that we can’t do it. We will live with the past glory,” he said, summing up his concerns with quiet resignation.

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 revisits the backdrop of the 1971 India–Pakistan war and aims to showcase the bravery of Indian armed forces across land, air, and water. The film stars Sunny Deol in the lead, alongside Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and others.