"I really like the kind of cinema that is made now-a-days. The young film makers are doing an excellent job. When I see films like 'Udaan', 'Kahaani', 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', 'Rock On!!', I get awestruck by the kind of dialogued, structuring, script and drama that is projected by the young makers on screen. It is commendable," Akhtar said.

"I have not seen 'Vicky Donor' but have heard so much about it that now I want to take out some time and see the movie," he added. With all the appreciation for the young talent, Akhtar does not like the concept of films without songs. "Songs have always been the highlight of the Hindi movies, but these youngsters are following the European and the American style and omitting songs from movies. I don't like this. It should not be done," he said.

The 67-year-old talked on a range of issues at the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC). Akhtar, a Rajya Sabha member, has also been campaigning for the Copyright Amendment Bill to protect the rights of the artists and says that he is okay with the changes made in the bill.

"I am quite happy the way the copyright bill has shaped up. I am satisfied with the changes. I am sure the amended bill will protect the interest of the artists. There are objections from some in the industry but on the whole everyone supports the bill," he said.

The bill is expected to tabled in this budget session and Akhtar is hopeful that it will get a clearance. Akhtar forayed into Bollywood in 1969 as a scriptwriter with 'Yakeen' and later he teamed up with Salim Khan and the duo together wrote blockbusters like 'Zanjeer', 'Sholay', 'Yaadon Ki Baraat', 'Deewar', 'Kranti' and 'Don'. Recently, he penned hit songs like Iktara, In lamhon ke daaman mein and Yeh tumhaari meri baatein.