Salim-Javed: The Untold Story Behind Bollywood’s Legendary ‘Angry Young Men’

Picture Courtesy : IMDB

In establishing the stereotype of the “angry young man,” Salim-Javed shook up Indian cinema, but who were the two individuals responsible for this profound change? 

Filmmakers Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar explore their personal and professional lives in the Prime Video docuseries Angry Young Men. Their films such as Sholay, Deewar, and Zanjeer continue to influence Bollywood’s heritage even after all these years. Their groundbreaking scripts and memorable lines resonated with the everyday struggles and aspirations of Indian cinemagoers and changed the industry forever.

The human experiences of Salim and Javed are what make this documentary series unique. Beyond the great screenplays they wrote, the show follows the lives of the two outsiders who defied all odds to become Bollywood superstars. The documentary series puts the famous actors’ children—Zoya Akhtar, Salman Khan, and Farhan Akhtar—in candid interviews, allowing viewers to see the creative giants for who they really are. Their own experiences seeped into the character of the enraged youth they portrayed on television via their own hardships, recollections of their childhood, and strong familial ties.

Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Hrithik Roshan are just a few of the Bollywood stars who have spoken out about the lasting impact Salim-Javed had on Indian cinema. The show doesn’t sugarcoat difficult questions, though, such as why Salim-Javed brought the screenwriter’s status down in Bollywood today.

The sensitive and gracefully directed Angry Young Men by Namrata Rao not only honours Salim-Javed for their unmatched contribution to cinema but also contemplates their lasting impact, which shaped an entire generation and is still felt in the business today.