Singer-songwriter Lucky Ali has walked back his harsh remarks about veteran lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, after a social media post of his calling Akhtar “ugly and hardly original” went viral and sparked outrage.
It all started when Lucky Ali, known for soulful hits like O Sanam and Gori Teri Aankhein Kahein, reacted to an old video of Javed Akhtar in which the celebrated writer allegedly made comments that rubbed many the wrong way. In the resurfaced clip, Akhtar could be heard saying, “Don’t become like Muslims, make them like yourself. You are becoming like Muslims.”
Ali, clearly upset by the tone of that statement, lashed out on X (formerly Twitter) with a scathing post:
“Don’t become like Javed Akhtar. Never original and ugly as f***.”
The post spread quickly, with fans and fellow artists expressing both shock and disappointment. Some agreed with Ali’s sentiment but questioned his choice of words. Others called it “uncharacteristic” of the usually calm and introspective musician.
A twist in the apology
Just hours later, Lucky Ali issued what appeared to be an apology — though one that carried a hint of sarcasm. He wrote:
“What I meant was that arrogance is ugly… it was a mistaken communique on my part. Monsters may have feelings too and I apologize if I hurt anyone’s monstrosity.”
While technically an apology, his wording left people wondering if it was sincere or just a clever way to double down on his earlier criticism. Many social media users described it as a “half-apology disguised as poetry.”
Silence from Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar, who is known for his outspoken views and literary sharpness, hasn’t responded publicly to the remarks. The lyricist’s friends and associates, however, have reportedly brushed off the controversy, suggesting that Akhtar “rarely gets bothered by online chatter.”
Public reaction
The episode has split public opinion right down the middle. Some social media users defended Lucky Ali, saying he was reacting emotionally to what he perceived as an offensive statement about Muslims. Others felt he crossed a line by resorting to personal insults instead of reasoned criticism.
Several industry insiders also weighed in, emphasizing that artists with large followings need to “show restraint” even when expressing dissent.
The bigger picture
This isn’t just a celebrity spat — it’s touched off a broader conversation about how public figures handle sensitive cultural issues. Both Ali and Akhtar are respected names in India’s creative space, and seeing them clash has left many fans uneasy.
At its heart, the controversy reflects a larger tension between artistic freedom, religious identity, and social responsibility — themes that have always hovered around Bollywood’s cultural discourse.
Whether Lucky Ali’s apology will mend fences or fuel more debate remains to be seen. For now, the singer says he’s learned to be “more careful with words” — though, as this saga shows, words once spoken have a way of echoing far beyond their original intent.
