Does God Exist? Javed Akhtar vs Mufti Shamail Debate Goes Viral in India-Pakistan

The existence of God is a concept that is provoking a stimulating debate between the eminent Indian Islamic scholar, the Mufti Shamail Ahmed Abdullah Nadvi, and the famous film lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, and this debate is gaining tremendous momentum on the internet in India and Pakistan. The debate, received over 3.7 million views on YouTube alone and a heated debate is ongoing on social media platforms.

The intellectual debate, titled “Does God Exist?”, was held on Saturday in New Delhi and organized by a well-known Indian digital platform. It was moderated by senior journalist Saurabh Dwivedi. On one side was Javed Akhtar, widely known for his atheist views and a former member of the Indian Parliament, while on the other was young and prominent Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadvi, recognized for addressing contemporary intellectual issues and responding to atheistic arguments.

Soon after its release, the debate gained popularity not only in India and Pakistan but across the world. Viewers have been actively reacting to the arguments, speaking styles, and responses of both participants. At one point, Javed Akhtar argued that right and wrong determined by the majority, a claim to which Mufti Shamail Nadvi responded in a manner that widely appreciated by the audience. A clip of this moment has since gone viral on the internet.

During the discussion, Mufti Shamail at one stage advised Javed Akhtar to think beyond a limited framework, while Akhtar’s response to this remark also entertained the audience.

On social media platform X, some users noted that although Javed Akhtar had prepared speaking notes, he seemed to have no logic to respond to certain questions and instead used emotional appeal. There are users who testified that given strong arguments, he would fall on jokes and emotional appeal. Some other people commented that the questions that Javed Akhtar posed were already answered centuries ago and that in the debate, he appeared to have no knowledge on some rudimentary concepts.

On the other hand, the academic training, rationality, and the controlled composure of Mufti Shamail Nadvi have been celebrated and applauded over the social media. Host Saurabh Dwivedi has also been credited with the way he has conducted the debate in a balanced manner and in a very respectful way.

A number of YouTubers have also published comprehensive analytical videos on the debate, comparing both sides of the arguments and calling it the biggest intellectual event of 2025. It has also been praised in its discussions that it has shown patience, tolerance, and mutual respect even though it is dealing with a highly sensitive topic.

It is also noteworthy that the argument is the result of the acute questions posed by Javed Akhtar in regards to religion and the idea of God in the previous interview. Mufti Shamail Nadvi then responded to him by issuing a formal academic and intellectual challenge. Javed Akhtar took up the challenge after the terms were agreed upon, which now is being referred to by many as a historic dialogue.