Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar—two names that have cast a long shadow over Bollywood’s screenwriting history. Everyone has a favourite Salim-Javed film, from the intense drama of Deewar (1975) to the emotional complexity of Shakti (1982). Even Namrata Rao, director of the new docu-series Angry Young Men, finds it difficult to pick favourites among their 22 blockbusters. “Deewar would be my favourite film, but I also love Shakti,” she shares.
Together, Salim-Javed have given us some of the most memorable chapters in Hindi cinema. To honor this legacy, Namrata Rao, an editor-turned-director, has spent the last three years working on a Prime Video offering that brings their golden era back to life. The genesis of Angry Young Men began when Zoya Akhtar, whom Rao had previously collaborated with on Lust Stories (2018) and Gully Boy (2019), shared the idea with her. “I was editing Lust Stories with Zoya. She told me about this idea, and I was very taken even then. In December 2020, she asked if I wanted to direct it,” Rao recalls.
Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar collaborated for over 15 years, giving us cinematic gems like Sholay (1975), Don (1978), and Trishul (1978). Creating a documentary that encapsulates such a vast and storied career is no easy task. Rao started by charting their chronological timeline, gathering stories and anecdotes in the public domain about their creative processes, interesting collaborations, and their eventual parting. “But when we started interviewing them, the story changed,” Rao notes. “What was interesting was to tap into their personality. They are cool guys, they are badass. They dreamt big and made it happen.”
For those who have seen the documentary, its loyalty to its subjects is striking. “They symbolize wisdom about success and failure, and what it means as you age. They know storytelling better than any of us, so they have the ability to offer exactly what you’d want,” Rao explains. She vividly recalls moments that offer deep emotional insights into these iconic figures. For instance, a poignant scene where Javed Akhtar chokes up talking about his breakfast, only to make light of it moments later.
. “Achcha, abhi aapko shot mil gaya mere rone ka,” he quipped. Salim Khan offered vulnerability when speaking about his mother, revealing new dimensions of a man often seen as rough and tough.
These moments are preserved with care, bolstered by 80-plus interviews with Bollywood legends from Amitabh Bachchan to Karan Johar and many others, resulting in 800 hours of footage. Despite the richness of the material, some critics argue that Angry Young Men may not offer much new information for those already familiar with Salim-Javed. “At the end of the day, the story represents them. As they got candid, I realized their mantra is: ‘bolo yaar, aage dekha jaayega’. That rubbed off on me. I’ve never seen their kind of confidence in anyone,” Rao reflects. It’s this unwavering belief in themselves, regardless of outcomes, that makes their story so compelling.
As the interview winds to a close, two pressing questions remain. First, why were Salim and Javed not shown together? “That was always the idea. We started during the pandemic when movements were limited. It wasn’t easy to shoot two people of that age. Then we fell into a pattern. I enjoyed catching them in their space,” Rao explains. The last thing they shot was a photoshoot at Shivaji Park for Diwali lighting, even capturing moments at Raj Thackeray’s house.
And what about that elusive last script of Salim-Javed? “Everyone at the première had that question. I can tell you they aren’t acting on it. But they are angry young men who do what they want to; maybe just as unexpectedly, they will get back someday,” says Rao, adding a note of suspense to their already legendary aura.
If there’s one takeaway from this extensive docu-series, it’s that Salim-Javed were not just screenwriters; they were visionaries who dared to dream big and made those dreams a reality. Their fearless attitude, encapsulated in their work and even in their casual asides, continues to inspire. In celebrating their legacy, Angry Young Men offers not just nostalgia but also a fresh perspective on what made these two men the legends they are.
