Salim–Javed were a formidable writer duo in Indian cinema in the 1970s.
Zoya Akhtar says that Salim-Javed never used cheap tricks or vulgarity in their work, which has influenced her own filmmaking.
Zoya Akhtar, known for films like Gully Boy and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, is working on a new crime-mafia drama, drawing inspiration from the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed. Her father, Javed Akhtar, and his former partner Salim Khan, redefined Hindi cinema with hits like Sholay and Deewaar. Their iconic work will be featured in an Amazon Prime Video docu-series, Angry Young Men, produced by their children’s companies.
Zoya Akhtar recently shared with Indianexpress.com how Salim-Javed’s writing style has influenced her work, starting with her 2009 debut, Luck By Chance, featuring her brother, Farhan Akhtar. When asked about all that she has learned from their writings, Zoya said, “Their characters weren’t black and white. All their characters have ambiguity, including their hero.”
She added, “There is a certain shade of grey, everything doesn’t quite fit in. I think that translates in my work, my characters aren’t completely white or black. The fact that they (Salim-Javed) didn’t resort to cheap tricks, they weren’t vulgar ever. That has influenced our work. There was also respect for the ensemble. Even if it is a one-scene character, it should have a certain charm and resonance. Those things have come from them.”
The filmmaker mentioned that Salim-Javed’s stories focused on men, but the women were always portrayed with agency. Even in male-led stories, the women had their own identities and weren’t just props. “They just responded to stronger women. Even if they were male-led stories, none of the women were props. They all had jobs, even if it wasn’t explored, there was an identity in them,” she said.
Zoya, who is co-producing the docu-series, recently shared an anecdote about meeting Salman Khan to discuss it, during a chat with Bollywood Hungama. She and her brother, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, visited Salman at his iconic Galaxy apartment. “It was fun, we were in his lawn and had some tea, all his nephews were around. It was a nice feeling to be back at Galaxy because we grew up there and played in that garden,” Zoya recalled.
During the trailer launch of Angry Young Men, Salim and Javed hinted at a possible reunion for a new film, sparking excitement among fans. Zoya, when asked about this, said, “I don’t know what they were cooking between them, but I hope I get to direct it! Because there are many contenders in the family, so I hope I get it!”
