Javed Akhtar Reveals He Declined 'Border 2' Songwriting Over Reliance on Rehashed Classics
Javed Akhtar refused to write for Border 2, criticising rehashed songs as creative bankruptcy and urging makers to craft original music.
Legendary Lyricist Javed Akhtar has revealed that he refused an offer to write songs for the upcoming sequel Border 2, citing what he described as “creative bankruptcy” in rehashing old hits. The sequel, set to release on January 23 ahead of Republic Day, has already sparked online debate over its reworked versions of iconic tracks like “Ghar Kab Aayoge” and “Aye Jate Hue Lamhon”, which many fans of the original 1997 film feel fall short of expectations.
Speaking to India Today, Akhtar criticised the trend of recreating past successes instead of creating fresh compositions. “They did ask me to write for the film, but I refused. I really feel this is a kind of intellectual and creative bankruptcy. You have an old song that did well, and you want to put it out again by adding something? Make new songs or else accept that you cannot do the same level of work,” he said.
Akhtar emphasised the importance of originality over nostalgia. Drawing parallels with earlier classics, he said, “Whatever is bygone, let that be. We had films before us—Haqeeqat (1964)—and its songs were brilliant, but we didn’t use them. We wrote new ones; we made absolutely different songs, and people liked them too. You are making a movie again, so create new songs. Why are you depending on the past? You have accepted that we can’t do it. We will live on past glory.”
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The lyricist further noted that while remakes and recreations are often intended to evoke nostalgia, filmmakers should aim to create fresh experiences. “You create new nostalgia then,” he added, expressing his disappointment with the current state of the Bollywood music industry.
Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh, is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J. P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta under T-Series Films and J. P. Films. The sequel brings back Sunny Deol from the original alongside Varun Dhawan, Ahaan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh.
Fans will get to experience the film—and judge its musical choices—when it hits theatres later this week. Akhtar’s refusal and candid remarks have already fuelled discussions about originality versus nostalgia in Bollywood music today.
Also Read: Suniel Shetty Opens Up About Missing ‘Border 2’ but Proud of Son Ahan’s Role
