New Delhi: Eminent lyricist Javed Akhtar was left red faced after he was interrupted in the course of his poetry session and asked to make way for Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during a poetry festival in the capital on Sunday.
According to Economic Times, after an hour long session Javed Akhtar was flooded with requests to recite some of his poems but the event's volunteers started taking away microphones from audience members, Akhtar said, "Let's not delay things, kavita phir kabhi kar lenge." But the audience kept requesting, "Ek poem sir, bas ek."
As the chorus of requests reached a crescendo, the anchor announced,"Manish Sisodia ji bhi aa gaye hain, aur bahar khade hain." At which Shazia Ilmi, who was present as a modeartor at the event, commented, "Toh kya hua, Sisodia ji thoda intezaar kar lenge."
But Akhtar took off his microphone and walked off his audi, straight to the parking lot and then dialled his driver's number. The organisers followed him outside, and one of them, Sanjay Arora, said, "Sir, galti toh hui hai humse, maafi chahenge." , the daily reported.
Akhtar just said, "Ab khatm karein," and sat in the car and left without responding to any questions.
The report also said that Akhtar was also not invited at the event, ET quoted event's facebook page that said,” So what happens when you get a call from Javed Akhtar saab scolding you for not inviting him formally to the Delhi Poet ry Festival, Season 3? You simply apolo gize, say a quiet prayer and do what you're asked to do - invite him over formally."
Shazia Ilmi, a former AAP and current BJP member, termed the turn of events as unacceptable.
“ Javed saab was unhappy over not getting invitation and now they behave like this. Look most people have left after him, ET quoted her as saying.
After he left, even Prasoon Joshi went out, while Piyush Mishra left after exchanging greetings with Sisodi
