In a bold and unfiltered statement that has reignited debate across borders, celebrated lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar declared that if given the choice between Pakistan and hell, he would rather choose the latter.

His comment comes mere weeks after Pakistan and India agreed to an uneasy ceasefire, marking a pause in recent cross-border skirmishes that had inflamed nationalist sentiments on both sides.

The veteran writer made the remark during a candid public discussion in Mumbai, reflecting on the backlash he regularly receives from extremists across the ideological spectrum.

“Some call me a kafir and say I’ll go to hell. Others call me a jihadi and tell me to move to Pakistan,” Akhtar said. “Well, if those are my only choices—Pakistan or hell—I’ll gladly choose hell.”

The line, clearly meant to be provocative, has gone viral on both Pakistani and Indian social media, stirring applause, anger, and intense debate.

Akhtar’s remarks sparked widespread condemnation in Pakistan, with many accusing him of inflaming tensions during a delicate moment of reconciliation.

Veteran journalist Hamid Mir bluntly responded, “Go to hell,” while actor Adnan Siddiqui, once a gracious host to Akhtar in Lahore, dismissed him on Instagram as “an educated fool.”

The backlash quickly escalated on social media, where countless users labeled Akhtar a “bigot in disguise” and condemned his statement as a betrayal of the cultural goodwill once extended to him.