Javed Siddiqi

Born on 13 January 1942, in the princely state of Rampur, Javed Siddiqi comes from a distinguished lineage of freedom fighters—the renowned Ali Brothers. He began his film journey as dialogue writer and special assistant director to Satyajit Ray on Shatranj ke Khiladi, and later served as chief assistant director to James Ivory. Over time, he emerged as one of India’s most respected and prolific screenwriters, with over eighty films to his credit. His landmark works include Umrao Jaan, Baazigar, Darr, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Raja Hindustani, Pardes, Fiza, Zubeida, and Koi Mil Gaya, among others. A storyteller of rare depth and sensitivity, Javed Siddiqi continues to be celebrated as one of India’s most influential voices in cinema, theatre, and Urdu–Hindi literature