Javed Akhtar confirms Salim-Javed to reunite after four decades: ‘We are going to write now’

Salim-Javed, the screenwriting duo who ruled Hindi cinema is the 1970s may return to their roots if all goes right. At the trailer launch event of their documentary series, Angry Young Men, Javed Akhtar said that they are considering writing one more film together. He said, “We are going to write (the script) now. I have spoken to Salim, ek picture hum aur likh de (let us write one more film together). Uss zamane mein bhi humari price zyada thi, iss zamane mein toh bohot bhi zyada hogi. Woh dekh lijiyega (We used to charge a lot back then, we will charge even more now. Do consider that).”

Their last released film was 1987’s Mr India which released many years after they officially parted ways. Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar are credited with the origin of the ‘angry young man’ in Indian cinema. The idea of the angry young man was introduced in their 1973 film Zanjeer which changed the trajectory of Amitabh Bachchan’s career. Soon after, the screenwriting duo wrote films like Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Majboor and Haath Ki Safai. They were known as the writers who always delivered bound scripts to their makers and were on their way to becoming the highest paid writers in the movies.

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In 1975, they struck gold when they saw the success of Sholay, followed by Deewaar. Both films starring Amitabh Bachcan in the lead roles went on to become the biggest hits of the year and are still seen as two of the most successful film of Bachchan’s careers. Trishul, Don and Shaan were some of their subsequent hits but the early 1980s, their partnership fell apart.

In the past, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar have addressed their break-up and said that many outsiders influenced their decision making. Salim Khan had said that he was told by Javed Akhtar that they should work separately and from then on, Salim started writing films and Javed started writing lyrics.