Bollywood is often defined by its iconic creations and memorable collaborations, but few can rival the legendary partnership of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. These two maestros, whose screenwriting prowess became synonymous with blockbuster cinema, are the focus of a new docu-series titled “Angry Young Men”. Directed by Namrata Rao, the series explores the impactful journey and dynamic personalities of this celebrated duo.
Discussing her experience and vision for the series, Rao shares insights into the project’s creation and its intimate portrayal of the writers, affectionately known in the industry as Salim-Javed. “Deewar [1975] would be my favourite film, but I also love Shakti [1982],” Rao confesses, encapsulating the dilemma fans face when choosing a favorite from their impressive repertoire of 22 mega-hits. These films not only entertained but also left indelible marks on Indian cinema.
Rao, recognized as one of the industry’s most successful editors, transitioned to directing to pay homage to this golden era. She dedicated three years to bringing this impactful project to life on Prime Video. The journey began when Zoya Akhtar, whom Rao had worked with on projects like Lust Stories (2018) and Gully Boy (2019), introduced the idea. “I was editing Lust Stories [2018] with Zoya. She told me then [that she had this idea]. I was very taken even then. In December 2020, she asked me if I wanted to direct it,” Rao recounts.
Salim and Javed’s collaboration, which spanned over 15 years, resulted in masterpieces like Sholay (1975), Don (1978), and Trishul (1978). Faced with the monumental task of chronicling their prolific careers, Rao began with a chronological chart of their works. “First, the anecdotes of their lives in the public domain were sought out—what was their process, the interesting things they did together and how they parted. But when we started interviewing them, the story changed. What was interesting was to tap into their personality,” Rao explains. She underscores their cool, badass personas and their commitment to their craft: “Like Javed saab says, ‘I didn’t think this wouldn’t happen; I always thought this could go in my biography.’”
Rao’s meticulous approach ensured that the documentary remained true to its subjects, devoid of undue glorification. She emphasizes their raw wisdom and candid reflections on success, failure, and aging. Rao recounts memorable moments from the shoot, such as Javed’s emotional response during a breakfast scene and Salim’s poignant memories of his mother.
. “They own their lives, their failures and successes, and even that they fu**ed up! I discussed a lot about Sholay [1975] with them—how they showed that a widow could be remarried, but didn’t give her a happy ending. They said, ‘You can’t push the envelope all at the same time. You first bring in the idea and then you normalise it. The story of Sholay required a tragedy to make it as big!’”
The scope of the documentary is vast, incorporating over 80 interviews with luminaries such as Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Salman Khan, and siblings Farhan and Zoya Akhtar. This extensive project accumulated 800 hours of footage. Despite the abundant material, Rao prioritized the story’s essence over including all her favorite films. She acknowledges the series may offer little new insight for those already familiar with Salim-Javed but believes it captures their spirit. “As they got candid, I realised their mantra is: bolo yaar, aage dekha jaayega. That rubbed off on me. I’ve never seen their kind of confidence in anyone. That you can believe in something and stand by it, whether it goes your way or not, is what I loved about their story,” Rao enthuses.
In addressing the choice not to feature Salim and Javed together, Rao explains, “That was always the idea. We started in the pandemic when movement was 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. The last thing we shot was the photos when they went to Shivaji Park to inaugurate Diwali lighting. We shot at Raj Thackeray’s house!”
The burning question on the minds of many at the series’ première was whether Salim-Javed would reunite for another screenplay. Rao addresses this curiosity with a touch of nostalgia and hope: “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!”
Angry Young Men is a tribute not just to two extraordinary writers but to an era of filmmaking that defined Bollywood. Namrata Rao’s admiration for Salim-Javed breathes life into their story, making it a must-watch for cinephiles and aspiring storytellers alike.