Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar will be presented the SOA Sahitya Samman for 2025 for his outstanding and lifelong contribution to Indian cinema and literature.

According to Bhubaneswar-based Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University, the organiser of the third SOA Literary Festival, Mr. Akhtar will be conferred with literary award at a function to be held on university campus on November 29, 2025.

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The SOA Sahitya Samman, instituted by the university, is conferred every year to recognise eminent writers, poets, and thinkers whose work exemplifies excellence, creativity, and intellectual depth.

"Mr. Akhtar is a celebrated script writer, lyricist, poet, and thinker whose words have defined the emotional and cultural landscape of modern India. A master lyricist, his creative genius has enriched Hindi cinema with depth and timeless resonance," the organisers said.

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As per a statement, a recipient of five National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards, Mr. Akhtar has also been honoured with the Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2007), and the Sahitya Akademi Award (2014), among many others.

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"His poetry collections 'Tarkash' and 'Lava' remain among the best-selling works of modern Hindi literature and have been translated into several Indian and foreign languages. An eloquent voice of reason and progress, Mr. Akhtar has addressed leading universities worldwide, including Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge," said organisers.

The award carries a cash prize of ₹7 lakh along with a citation, a silver idol of Goddess Saraswati, and a shawl. It will be conferred on a distinguished Indian litterateur writing in any language recognised by the Constitution of India every year.