In response to the controversy, Akhtar said he receives hostility from both Hindu and Muslim hardliners. He told The Telegraph Online, "I get hate mail from both sides." "I believe as long as both [Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists] are abusing me, I am doing something right. My name, Javed Akhtar, has nothing to do with Islam." "Both the words are Persian. It is only in India that names are associated with religion."
Akhtar also expressed his love for Kolkata, calling it a "liberal and progressive city." The cancellation of the event has been slammed by several public figures. Author Tasleema Nasreen took to X to criticize the Urdu Academy, saying that repeatedly yielding to extremist threats only empowers them. Poet-filmmaker Gauhar Raza called it "deeply disturbing and unacceptable," while civil rights groups like APDR highlighted the implications for democratic rights and freedom of expression.