Javed Akhtar Opens Up On What He Would Do If He Found Zoya And Farhan Smoke Marijuana

Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar said that ‘charas’ and ‘ganja’ are ‘ordinary things’ that can be found outside any college campus and it shouldn’t be confused with d#ugs such as LSD, cocaine. He further said that no police officer will pay attention to a person smoking marijuana but the problem arises only if one starts peddling the banned substance for profit.

During his interview with Barkha Dutt, he also said that he has never heard anybody committing murder after smoking marijuana. His comments come after the Bollywood comes under the scanner of the Narcotics Control Bureau as they probe d#ug links.

The NCB is probing the use of d#ugs in Bollywood. So far, actresses like Rakul Preet Singh, Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan and Shraddha Kapoor were called by the NCB for questioning. Bollywood celebs are also being trolled for their alleged d#ug consumption on social media. Previously, actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother, Showik was arrested after evidence was found by the NCB, tying her to the consumption and purchase of banned substances.

Speaking about the ongoing NCB investigation into the alleged Bollywood-d#ugs nexus, Javed Akhtar shared that he believes the film industry is much more disciplined and responsible than it ever was. The lyricist said,

“I have never used any d#ug in my life. Although I was not a very disciplined young man and I used to drink a lot. I don’t believe in those reports but look at their health, their physique, their physical fitness. These boys and girls, unlike the stars of yesteryear who were not obsessed by their physical fitness, which this generation is. In fact, they spend two to three hours in the gym. Do they look like dr#g addicts? They are extremely professional and responsible people. Today, the film industry is much more disciplined and responsible than it ever was.”

Speaking about what would he say to his children – Zoya and Farhan Akhtar, if found smoking marijuana, he said,

“I would tell them not to do it, it’s not right. But they are grown ups. It’s like when I gave up alcohol in 1991, and haven’t taken a sip since then. I used to drink everyday. I have come to the conclusion that if you have any kind of intoxication, it can harm you. Tomorrow if I come to know my daughter smokes marijuana, I’ll tell her she shouldn’t be doing this. If she listens to me that’s fine, but if she doesn’t, she’s a grown up girl. It’s the same with my son.”

“It’s not such a big issue,” Javed said. “People do it, but yes, it’s bad for your health.” He said that he would be indifferent either way, if marijuana were to be legalised, or it were to remain banned. Javed rejected the notion that it could prove to be a gateway d#ug to more harmful substances, if legalised.

Watch Javed Akthar speaks to Barkha Dutt on the many raging controversies around the the film industry below

What are you views on the ongoing investigation on the d#ug nexus in B-town?