The game of rummy might be a leisure activity or a mode of entertainment for many, but it is more than just that for legendary Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar. On the eve of his 78th birthday, the National Award winner gave an overview of life in rummy terms in a chat with Lallantop’s Saurabh Dwivedi.

Card games like rummy have regained popularity ever since the onset of the pandemic, with multiple online platforms providing lucrative opportunities to players. The skill-based game has been a hit among the upcoming generation, however, veteran Indian celebrity Javed Akhtar had an interesting take on the card game.

“I don’t know how many guys know about rummy, but life is much like that card game. The cards which are distributed are like the various circumstances handed to us in our life. You have to maneuver your way through those circumstances and strategize your game according to the cards you have been dealt.”

Akhtar then went on to explain that patience is the key, whether it is the game of rummy or life in general. He reckoned that waiting for the right time is always rewarding, but one cannot get carried away just after one victory, and neither should they feel bogged down after a defeat.

“The dealer will change, the players will change, but what remains constant is your cards. You have to be patient, you’ll lose if you show your hand too early or wait too long. Waiting for the right opportunity is the key just like in life. You cannot become overconfident after one win nor can you lose heart after one loss. You have to keep playing with patience and perseverance,” the Padma Shri winner said in the interview.

It is worth noting that India’s richest man Gautam Adani also shared an interesting story revolving around rummy in a recent interview with famed Indian journalist Rajat Sharma on India TV’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ show. The multi-billionaire revealed that he often indulges in the game of rummy with his wife. He stated that they play around 8-10 games daily after he returns from work, with his wife, Priti, finishing on the winning side more often than not.