Talking Films and Songs Quotes

“In poetry, each word can trigger an association in the subconscious and in the realm of feelings. Good writers and poets instinctively know what kind of allusions words can evoke. There must also be a balance of sounds. For instance, some light words like ‘ehsaas’ [to feel] and ‘mehsoos’ [to sense] do not have strong consonants. So the lightest breeze can blow the line away. In order to keep the words grounded, light words need strong consonants. They work like paperweights.”
― Javed Akhtar, Talking Films and Songs: Javed Akhtar in conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir

“Like dreams, poetry talks in symbols. It gives hints. It enters the subconscious mind and connects to a world layered with memories and emotional experiences. Between countries there is a no-man’s-land, and I think the same space exists between the conscious and the subconscious mind. Poetry grows there. And if those who listen to, or who read poetry are receptive, it reaches the no-man’s-land in their minds. There are some conscious reasons why a poem is appreciated, but there are certain reasons that are not so obvious. And you say quite helplessly, ‘Is mein kuchh ajeeb baat hai’—there is some strange charm to it. That charm is because the poem has appealed to the subconscious mind and stirred dormant feelings, thoughts, and memories.”
― Javed Akhtar, Talking Films and Songs: Javed Akhtar in conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir

“Mr [Satyajit] Ray belonged to some other league. Talking about films made in this country and talking about Ray's movies in the same breath isn't fair.”
― Javed Akthar, Talking Films and Songs: Javed Akhtar in conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir