Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar was awarded the "best poet, lyricist and scriptwriter" in Bollywood at the Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Awards 2017.

Here on Sonu Nigam's Azaan controversy, Akhtar Saab said, "As far as I think, no matter if it's a Masjid, Mandir, Church or Gurudwara, whatever is the place, do your prayers, but it shouldn't disturb anyone else."

Pankaj Kapur on receiving the award for his versatile acting said: "I am grateful to be recognized for my work. It's a great honor to be associated with the name Dada Saheb Phalke, the first man of cinema as we call him the father of cinema. So I am glad to be here and proud to be associated with the award."

Also read:

An old video of Priyanka Chopra praising Azaan goes viral

Sonu Nigam shot back on Fatwa issued against him

Sonu Nigam has shaved off his head