Zoya Akhtar reveals why Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan didn’t do joint interview in Angry Young Men: ‘That final meeting gave it a perfect closure’

The documentary Angry Young Men, which explores the legendary partnership between writers Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, which led to the creation of iconic films like Sholay, Deewar, Trishul, Shakti and more, features interviews with both writers — albeit separately. The documentary was co-produced by Zoya Akhtar’s production company, Tiger Baby, along with Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and Salman Khan Films. During the third session of The Indian Express’s Expresso, Zoya Akhtar shared insights into why the two writers did not give a joint interview in the three-part documentary.

Angry Young Men was directed by Namrata Rao, a National Award-winning editor making her directorial debut with this project. When Zoya was asked why Akhtar and Khan only appeared together for a photoshoot at the end of the series and did not participate in a joint interview, she explained, “I think that was a directorial choice. I think she had planned to do it that way. I am speaking for someone else here but when she started shooting them separately, I think the patterns just started forming with their lives, their journeys and their personal lives. I think she liked the pattern that was forming and that one meeting at the end gave it a perfect closure. I agreed with her when she told me that but that is a question that you have to ask her.”

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Namrata Rao has worked with Zoya on several projects, including Made in Heaven, Lust Stories, and Ghost Stories. Reflecting on their collaboration, Zoya said in an earlier interview with indianexpress.com, “She loves Hindi movies, she knew their work and has a great sense of humour that I knew they’d connect with completely.”

Zoya further elaborated on the decision to have Namrata direct the documentary, saying, “I wanted someone, who is not from the family because I am a director, so is Farhan; Sohail could have done it, Arbaaz does personal interviews, he is good like that. But one of the kids doing it is too personal, you don’t get that gaze, that kind of distance. It was also interesting to have a woman because they have such a male persona, but they are very specifically male — they are not offensive males. I wanted a female gaze on the ‘Angry Young Men’ and she just ticked all the boxes.”