Sunil Grover’s Javed Akhtar act steals the show, leaves audience and Raj Babbar in splits

Comedian-actor Sunil Grover has once again captured the internet’s attention, this time with a pitch-perfect impersonation of legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar at the Screen Awards 2026. The act not only left audiences in splits but also drew laughter from Akhtar himself, along with veteran actor Raj Babbar.

Fresh off the success of his Kader Khan tribute, Grover raised the bar by transforming into Akhtar right in front of him. Taking the stage, he opened with a playful apology directed at the lyricist, saying, “Bhayi maaf kijiyega… main aapse keh raha hoon sir,” immediately setting a humorous tone.

He then slipped effortlessly into character, delivering a witty wordplay: “Main padhte padhte kitaab mein ghus gaya tha. Main hoon Javed Athatar,” cleverly referencing the number 78. Turning to Akhtar seated in the audience, Grover added, “Aap kaunse number ke baithe hue hain sir? Main athattarve number ka Javed hoon,” sending the crowd into peals of laughter.

Cameras captured Akhtar smiling at the performance, while Babbar, seated beside him, laughed heartily—underscoring the act’s impact. Filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan later joined Grover on stage, addressing him as “Javed uncle” and amplifying the lighthearted exchange.

Clips from the performance have since gone viral across social media platforms. Users praised Grover’s sharp wit and uncanny mannerisms, with one comment reading, “AI ko bhi fail kar diya,” while another described him as an “anmol ratan”.

Grover’s recent run of performances, including his impersonations of Kader Khan and Aamir Khan on The Great Indian Kapil Show, has been widely applauded. With this latest act, he once again reinforces his reputation as one of the most versatile and compelling performers in Indian comedy.