Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar will be presented with the SOA Sahitya Samman 2025 for his outstanding and lifelong contribution to Indian cinema and literature. According to Bhubaneswar-based Education ‘O’ Research (SOA) Deemed University, organizer of the 3rd SOA Literature Festival, Mr Akhtar will be honored with the literary award at a function to be held on the university campus on November 29, 2025. The SOA Sahitya Samman, instituted by the University, is awarded every year to honor distinguished writers, poets and thinkers whose work exemplifies excellence, creativity and intellectual depth.

Organizers said, “Mr. Akhtar is a renowned screenwriter, lyricist, poet and thinker whose words have defined the emotional and cultural landscape of modern India.

A lyricist par excellence, his creative genius has enriched Hindi cinema with depth and timeless resonance. ” The recipient of five National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards, Mr Akhtar has also been honored with the Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2007), and Sahitya Akademi Award (2014), among many other awards, according to a statement.

Organizers said, “His poetry collections ‘Tarksh’ and ‘Lava’ are among the best-selling works of modern Hindi literature and have been translated into several Indian and foreign languages. A brilliant voice of reason and progress, Mr. Akhtar has addressed leading universities around the world, including Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge.

” The award carries a cash prize of ₹7 lakh, a citation, a silver statue of Goddess Saraswati and a shawl. It will be awarded every year to an eminent Indian literary figure writing in any language recognized by the Constitution of India.