I had to say those things: Javed Akhtar on 26/11 remarks in Pakistan

TIL Desk/National/Mumbai/ Lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar has said his comments on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks during his recent visit to Pakistan have become “too big” but he had to set the record straight on certain things while he was there.

Calling himself as someone who has made remarks that were “slightly controversial and sensitive in nature” in India, Akhtar said he was not scared to speak his mind while in Pakistan.

Akhtar, who was in Pakistan for a festival in memory of celebrated Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz last week, said Pakistanis should not feel offended when India talks about the 2008 terror attack.

“It became too big. It’s embarrassing for me. Now I think I should not gloat over it. When I came here, I felt like I won World War III. There were so many reactions from people as well as media that I just stopped taking calls. I was embarrassed that aisa maine kya teer maar diya. I had to say these things. Should we keep quiet?” the lyricist said during a session at the ABP Ideas of India 2023 Summit.