Javed Akhtar

Hardtalk Extra caught up with Javed Akhtar in Mumbai

In a Hardtalk Extra programme broadcast on Friday 1st September, Noel Thompson spoke to Indian film writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar about the changing face of Bollywood film.

For over thirty years now, Javed Akhtar has been one of the most influential, creative forces in Bollywood.

The seventh generation poet in his family, he has carved out a distinguished career in film as a script writer and the lyricist for many of Bollywood's best-loved songs.

At a time when Indian film seems poised to lead an assault on western audiences, why does he believe it has "lost its soul"?

He tells Noel Thompson why he thinks India's new-found economic success is actually undermining the quality of Hindi cinema.

HARDtalk Extra can be seen on BBC World at 0330 GMT, 0830 GMT, 1430 GMT, 1830 GMT, 2330 GMT.

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 04:30 and 23:30.