It is amazing how much impact Salim-Javed’s films still have, even after so many decades of their release. His iconic films and dialogues are part of cinematic tradition. Sholay To Seeta and Geeta, Don to Deewar, Zanjeer For Kaala Pathaar, their films changed the course of Indian cinema forever. Countless articles, interviews, research and debates have been written with the aim of shedding light on their iconic status as Hindi cinema’s finest screenwriters. What Prime Video’s new three-part documentary series Angry Young Men does so beautifully is interrogate their personal stories. (Also Read: Zoya Akhtar shares how morning walks with Salim Khan led to documentary series Angry Young Men)
The story of Salim and Javed
Not only do we see both Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar We look at their work with irony and also see their children in front of the camera. Actors Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khanfilmmakers Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar talk about the men who lived behind the distinguished screenwriter. The man who was also a husband, son and brother. He touches on thorny ground, with elegant notes of reserve.
The docuseries starts off with a bang, featuring a host of Bollywood stars, from Aamir Khan to Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan to Karan JoharHe talks enthusiastically about the impact of Salim-Javed. Bit by bit, he sheds light on how these two outsiders found their way into the film industry, with no plans of becoming screenwriters. Their personal struggles, the hardships they faced upon arriving in Mumbai along with their fears and hopes, all accumulated and burst out on the page that gave birth to the Angry Young Men phenomenon.
The personal seeps into the professional
The emergence of the Bollywood hero as the angry young man, marked the beginning of Amitabh Bachchan-The story starring Zanjeer is conveyed here in a stimulating manner. Shabana AzmiIn particular, it provides a stark reminder of how Salim-Javed were able to unwittingly tap into the impatience, rebellion and direct concerns of the middle-class population; where the figure of the vigilante hero in these films unconsciously impressed the common man distressed and frustrated with the corrupt system.
Angry Young Men’s most striking and resonant moments come when both writers talk about their own childhoods and families. Director Namrata Rao approaches these passages with wonderful sensitivity and respect, as both men open up about the relationship they share with their fathers. The location of these scenes is also brilliant, like a river acting as an anchor between two mountains. The view from those heights came in a single year, when Deewar and Sholay released in 1975. Both films would alter and rewrite the course of Hindi cinema forever, and fans will be delighted to find the eloquence with which this docuseries connects this celebrated chapter.How many people?Do it!
Final thoughts
As interesting as these stories are, Angry Young Men is a little reserved when it comes to addressing the impact of how Salim-Javed paved the way for greater recognition of writers. Even when the writers like Varun GroverJaideep Sahni and Juhi Chaturvedi offer an insight into how the industry treats its writers. The reality is, after Salim-Javed, where are the next scriptwriters who will be treated like superstars? Where does the Salim-Javed impact lead then? Why is it so difficult for the industry to recognise the importance of the writer?
It’s amusing that even the mystery behind Salim and Javed’s relationship breakdown is treated as an afterthought. The real untold story of this docuseries might have been how these two screenwriters shaped their careers after working solo, and perhaps how their individual works carried residues of each other’s influence, but that recalibration is missing.
Angry Young Men is a fascinating and heartfelt reminder of the mark these two men left on Indian cinema, and should certainly be a treat for true Salim-Javed fans. The docuseries updates their legacy with candour and compassion, even bringing out the ill-mannered sense of humour that Salim Khan still possesses. Behind all the anger of its constructed male leads, there is a real charisma and strength of will that resonates in Salim-Javed’s watchability.
Angry Young Men is now streaming on Prime Video India.
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