Veteran lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar has said only he can translate the life and journey of the late iconic poet Sahir Ludhianvi on the big screen. The screenwriter opened up about sharing a close bond with Ludhianvi, who was his family friend.

"He was a friend of my father and my mamu's (maternal uncle) friend. He used to meet with a lot of love and affection. I shared a great bond with him. "If anyone can make a film on him or his life, it is only me because no one knew him that well as I know him. Those who did know him are not alive," Akhtar told reporters when the subject of the biopic was raised on Tuesday.