In a heartwarming tribute to the legendary screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, a striking mural has recently been unveiled in the bustling suburb of Bandra, Mumbai. Fans of the iconic pair banded together to celebrate their monumental contributions to Hindi cinema by creating a mural that captures the essence of their most impactful work. This piece of art not only honors their legacy but also marks the launch of the much-anticipated docuseries “Angry Young Men” on Prime Video.
The mural is resplendent with larger-than-life portraits of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, framed by the timeless titles of their most famous films—Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Kranti, Trishul, Chacha Bhatija, Aakhri Daaon, and Yaadon Ki Baaraat. The titles are meticulously rendered in the classic vintage Bollywood poster style, a testament to the golden era of Indian cinema to which these films belong.
Salim-Javed’s work is universally celebrated for their pioneering storytelling and groundbreaking characterizations. The duo is often credited with popularizing the ‘Angry Young Man’ archetype, a character that came to personify the frustrations and hopes of a generation. The mural is a vibrant homage that encapsulates this very essence, commemorating the revolutionary narratives, unforgettable characters, and powerful dialogues that Salim-Javed crafted, forever altering the landscape of Indian cinema.
The release of the three-part docuseries, “Angry Young Men,” coincides perfectly with this tribute. The series delves deep into the lives and careers of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, offering an intimate look through the eyes of the writers themselves, their families, and notable figures within the film industry. In one poignant segment, Javed Akhtar opens up about the immense struggles he faced upon arriving in Mumbai. His journey was fraught with hardship, and his recounting of these early years is both moving and inspiring.
Akhtar recounts his initial move to Mumbai with dreams of becoming an assistant director to celebrated filmmakers like Guru Dutt or Raj Kapoor. Little did he know that the path to success would be anything but easy. “When you’re a teenager, life is easy, and you can do anything. That’s what I believed. I decided after my graduation that I’d move to Bombay to work as an assistant director, either with Guru Dutt or Raj Kapoor. They were directors, I admired at that time. I was sure I’d become a director myself in a short time,” he shared.
However, reality soon struck as he faced severe deprivation.
. “I slept at railway stations, studio compounds, in corridors, on benches, and so on. Sometimes I had to walk miles from Dadar to Bandra because I didn’t have money for the bus fare. Sometimes I realized I hadn’t eaten for two days. I used to always think the day I wrote my autobiography or if someone did, this day would make for an amazing moment. This thought never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t make it.”
The emotional retelling of his struggles showcases the depth of his resilience. With tears in his eyes, Akhtar continued, “If you have been deprived of food or sleep in your life, it leaves a deep mark on you that you will never forget. When I go to a five-star hotel with large sprawling double beds, and sometimes when I am lying there, I remember coming to Bombay in the third-class train compartment. It used to take two days. There was no place to sit in the compartment, not even a place to lean against and I was deprived of sleep, and how tired I was, if only I had a little stretch of that double bed. Sometimes I’m served breakfast on a trolley with butter, jam, half-fried eggs, and coffee. I think if deserve this even now. I think this breakfast can’t be for me, it must be someone else’s. I can’t get over that.”
The docuseries “Angry Young Men” is a production marvel, brought together by the combined efforts of Salman Khan Films, Excel Media & Entertainment, and Tiger Baby. The executive producers—Salma Khan, Salman Khan, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti—have ensured that the narrative is both compelling and authentic. Now streaming on Prime Video, the series is available for audiences in India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
As fans and film enthusiasts gather to admire the new mural in Bandra, it is evident that the impact of Salim-Javed’s work continues to resonate deeply. Their narratives not only defined an era but continue to influence Bollywood to this day. The mural stands as a vibrant reminder of their indelible mark on Indian cinema, just as the docuseries promises to delve deeper into the lives of these two extraordinary writers, offering fans an intimate look into their journey.
