
The poster of Modi biopic, PM Narendra Modi, mentions the name of Javed Akhtar in the credits. However, Javed Akhtar feels the makers want to show as if he is officially part of the film unit as a songwriter, which is not true.
It seems the makers have used an old song in the movie that had lyrics by Javed Akhtar, and the makers have credited Akhtar for that song. Javed Akhtar however, feels the intention of the makers is to show that he has written the songs for this film (Modi film).
He is shocked that no one reached out to him to use his name for the promotional material.
“We have taken the songs Ishwar Allah from the film 1947: Earth and the song Suno Gaur Se Duniyo Walon from the film Dus in our film,” says producer Sandip ssingh.
However, Javed Akhtar feels there is more than meets the eye. He thinks the intention behind mentioning his name in the poster is not correct; he feels the makers want to show that Akhtar endorses the film.
Read more: Javed Akhtar, the superstar writer
Here’s what Javed Akhtar had to say:
I have not done any work for this film, neither do I know the producer Sandip Ssingh, so you cannot put my name in the promotional material for the Modi biopic. At the most you can mention my name in the credit title of the film, along with the name of the original films (1947: Earth, Dus).
If they wanted to give respect, why have they not included the names of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and AR Rahman, composers of the songs, the producer is talking about.
Read more: AR Rahman, the oscar award winner composer
Akhtar’s wife Shabana Azmi tweeted saying it was done with deliberate intentions to show that Javed Akhtar had written the songs of the film.
The trailer of the Omung Kumar-directed film (had directed Mary Kom as well), featuring Vivek Oberoi in the lead, is already out and the movie is slated to release just before the 2019 lok Sabha elections starts (in April).
PM Narendra Modi | Official Trailer | Vivek Oberoi | Omung Kumar