India
“Angry Young Men”: A Captivating Docuseries on Iconic Screenwriting Duo Salim-Javed. Prime Video is set to captivate audiences with the premiere of “Angry Young Men,” a compelling three-part documentary series. This much-anticipated series chronicles the personal and professional journey of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, the legendary screenwriting duo famously known as Salim-Javed.
The docuseries, produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media & Entertainment, and Tiger Baby, offers an in-depth look at how these two trailblazers revolutionized Indian cinema in the 1970s.
Salim-Javed are celebrated for their groundbreaking work in Bollywood, particularly for introducing the “angry young man” archetype in a film industry predominantly dominated by romantic narratives. This pivotal shift was immortalized by Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal in the 1973 film “Zanjeer,” written by Salim-Javed. The duo’s innovative approach not only redefined Bollywood’s storytelling but also established the action-drama genre as a beloved staple of Indian cinema.
Executive producers Salma Khan, Salman Khan, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti have meticulously crafted the series to provide a nostalgic glimpse into the duo’s creative genius. The series showcases rare archival footage and heartfelt reflections from industry icons, including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Yash, and Kareena Kapoor Khan. These luminaries share how Salim-Javed’s work significantly impacted their careers and the broader landscape of Indian cinema.
Zoya Akhtar, the daughter of Javed Akhtar and one of the series’ producers, felt a personal connection to the project. “I grew up with them and watched these films,” Akhtar shared. “There’s a generation that doesn’t know them, and there is nobody else that has managed to create that kind of noise, garner that kind of attention, make that kind of impact, and hold that kind of clout in the industry, being just pure writers.”
The series also marks the directorial debut of Namrata Rao, an acclaimed editor known for her work on “Kahaani” and several of Zoya Akhtar’s projects, including “Lust Stories” and “Made in Heaven.” Rao brought a fresh perspective to the documentary, addressing both the highs and lows of Salim-Javed’s partnership. “I went all out. I asked them a lot of uncomfortable questions, and surprisingly, they were very cool about it,” Rao revealed. This candid approach allows the series to explore the depth of their collaboration and the eventual split that left many questions unanswered.
“Even I was apprehensive in the beginning,” Rao admitted, adding, “I told Zoya also, I mean, we discussed it, and she was also clear that we don’t want to do a birthday video or a puff piece.” This commitment to authenticity led Rao to tackle some challenging aspects of Salim-Javed’s story. “I think they also, somewhere believed that good storytelling needs black, white, and everything in between. You know, it’s not just ‘we are great.’ So they were very good about it. In fact, they love these parts themselves,” Rao explained.
Akhtar added, “I think it was interesting to have a female gaze on these very male artists and the character they created [the angry young man] was extremely male… and to figure out what led to this anger and what were these wounds that led to this character coming to the screen.”
The production faced several challenges, not least of which was shooting during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were shooting with a lot of old people,” said Rao. “We were shooting in masks, with distancing. Some people, we had to shoot from really far away.” Another significant hurdle was the lack of a proper archiving culture in the Indian film industry. “The procurements, we have more than 500 assets from different producers from all over. Putting them together took us almost a year,” Rao explained. Akhtar added, “To find who owns what, where does this clip come from, where did that photograph come from – that was a bit of a challenge.”
Despite these obstacles, both Akhtar and Rao found the process rewarding. For Rao, there was a sense of providence throughout the production. “At every step, we would reach a dead end, but something would open up,” she said.
Akhtar’s highlight was the series’ trailer launch, which brought together the families of both Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. “Finding for them a closure to their professional life together, I think that was the highlight for me,” she shared.
The documentary aims to answer the long-standing question of why Salim and Javed split, though Akhtar notes, “The straw that broke the camel’s back with them, I don’t think they’re telling anyone, personally.”
As for what they hope audiences take away from the series, both emphasize the inspirational aspect of Salim-Javed’s story. “Go for it. Have your conviction and chase it,” said Akhtar. Rao added, “It’s a story of belief. It’s a story of dreaming big, and a story of saying that even if you have nothing, it doesn’t mean that is what it is going to be.”
“Angry Young Men” not only chronicles the rise of two legendary screenwriters who captured the zeitgeist of the 1970s, but also sheds light on the state of screenwriting in Bollywood today. As Akhtar observed, “Right now, things are really fragmented, and the writers are writing in silos. There are very few that are actually coming across speaking for an entire generation.”
The intriguing and emotion-packed trailer for the upcoming docuseries, “Angry Young Men,” was recently launched with much fanfare. The event was graced by the presence of Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan, Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar, and Zoya Akhtar, all sharing the stage together—a rare sight in Indian cinema. The series immerses the audience in the rich Bollywood realm that Salim-Javed created, spotlighting their iconic characters and blockbusters such as “Deewar,” “Don,” “Sholay,” “Trishul,” and “Dostana”—films that have left an indelible imprint on Indian cinema. From their modest origins to becoming the first screenwriters to achieve stardom, the docuseries showcases rare archival footage, offering a nostalgic glimpse into their personal relationships, camaraderie, and creative brilliance through their unforgettable collaboration across 24 films.
Heartfelt reflections from industry figures like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Helen, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan further highlight the significant impact Salim-Javed had on their careers. During the event, Javed Akhtar also hinted at the possibility of a final collaboration between him and Salim Khan, sparking excitement among fans. “When I write scenes, I mean, it’s not about emulating or copying consciously, but there is a certain garja, for the lack of another word, that was given to the parts that they had written. And every character contributed in some way, had a personality, a way of speaking, a moment in the film,” Akhtar reflected.
Salim Khan, speaking at the event, shared his journey into screenwriting, saying, “I started my career in front of the camera but realized that my true strength lay in telling stories. That’s when I decided to focus on what came naturally to me—writing. I then met Javed, who was equally passionate about writing, and together we did some fantastic work, which I am very proud of. We had an excellent run, achieved great success, and also challenged industry norms along the way.”
Javed Akhtar also spoke about his early struggles, adding, “I arrived in this city as a young man with no job, contacts, or money and often going to bed hungry; despite that, quitting never crossed my mind. What I always knew, however, was that my life story was something I would want to share with the world.”
Salman Khan, always a show-stealer, delivered several memorable moments during the event. Commenting on the duo’s impact, he said, “They were the highest-paid writers then. It’s good that they didn’t pursue acting, look at them, even now you won’t find such good-looking actors.” He humorously added, “They took from life and put it into cinema. The rest of the writers, cinema se lekar cinema mei hi daal diya.”
As the series gets ready for its August 20 release on Prime Video, the anticipation among audiences is palpable. “Angry Young Men” promises to be more than just a documentary—it is a tribute to the timeless legacy of Salim-Javed and their indomitable spirit that continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and writers.
List of 24 Films by Salim-Javed:
- Andaz (1971)
- Adhikar (1971)
- Haathi Mere Saathi (1971)
- Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)
- Zanjeer (1973)
- Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
- Majboor (1974)
- Haath Ki Safai (1974)
- Sholay (1975)
- Deewaar (1975)
- Aakhri Daao (1975)
- Premada Kanike (1976)
- Immaan Dharam (1977)
- Chacha Bhatija (1977)
- Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977)
- Don (1978)
- Trishul (1978)
- Dostana (1980)
- Ram Balram (1980)
- Shaan (1980)
- Kaala Patthar (1980)
- Kranti (1981)
- The Burning Train (1981)
- Shakti (1982)
