“Shabana and I Are Sleeping on the Streets Now” Javed Akhtar

The acclaimed lyricist dismisses the Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari‘s remarks, clarifying past housing issues and asserting his Indian identity

May 30, 2025: Acclaimed lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has responded strongly to Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari’s jibe about his housing situation in Mumbai. In a calm yet firm tone during an interview with The Lallantop, Akhtar questioned Ansari’s right to tell him when to speak and said he wouldn’t be silenced by such comments.

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Bushra Ansari had mocked Akhtar on social media, saying he “can’t even get a house on rent in Mumbai” and should “stay quiet like Naseeruddin Shah.” In his reply, Akhtar said, “She said Naseeruddin Shah stays quiet, so I should too. But who is she to decide when I should speak? Who gave her that right?”

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Standing Up for His Roots
Akhtar further emphasised his Indian identity: “Yes, we Indians have our internal issues. But when someone from outside points fingers, I am first and foremost an Indian. I won’t stay silent.”

A Humorous Take on Housing Rumours
Responding with sarcasm to the claim that he couldn’t find housing in Mumbai, Akhtar quipped, “Yes, of course! Shabana and I are sleeping on the streets now.” He then clarified the source of the rumour:
“About 25 years ago, Shabana wanted to buy a flat. The broker told us the owner didn’t want to sell to Muslims because his family was forced out of Sindh during Partition. That anger came from personal pain, not religion. So how can Bushra Ansari twist this and use it against me?”

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The Context of the Dispute
The clash between the two began after Akhtar’s recent speech at the Gauravshaali Maharashtra Mahotsav, where he condemned the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam by terrorists. “Yeh baat humein bhulni nahi chahiye, yeh mamooli baat nahi hai (This is something we must not forget; it is not a small matter),” Akhtar had said.

Bushra Ansari had retorted sharply: “Unko toh bas bahana chahiye. Bombay mein makaan kiraye pe nahi milta tha (They just needed an excuse… that they couldn’t find a house to rent in Bombay).” She added, “Chup ho jaayein. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh chup hain (Stay quiet. Even Naseeruddin Shah is quiet).”

But Akhtar has made it clear—he won’t be silenced. “They should look at their own history before pointing fingers at us,” he concluded.

Tags:

Javed Akhtar, Bushra Ansari, Shabana Azmi, Mumbai housing controversy, Bollywood, India-Pakistan, Partition, Maharashtra Mahotsav