Prime Video’s docu-series, Angry Young Men, takes viewers behind the scenes of the iconic screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, whose names became synonymous with blockbuster hits in the 1970s and 80s. Directed by Namrata Rao, this three-part series delves into not only their professional genius but also the personal intricacies that shaped these two men, who revolutionised Hindi cinema. The title of the documentary is a fitting tribute, honouring the intense characters that Salim-Javed masterfully brought to life, especially through Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of the ‘angry young man.’
Through candid interviews with the duo, their colleagues and families, the series offers a detailed portrayal of these two screenwriters, who managed to deliver 22 blockbusters in just 11 years. The first episode focuses on Salim Khan’s acting career before he partnered with Javed Akhtar, forming what would become the most successful writer duo in Indian cinema’s history. In this episode, Farah Khan humourously shared a story about Salim Khan working with her mother in her debut film.
It is not just the viewers that enjoyed watching the Main Hoon Na director talk about the Salim-Javed duo but even Farah herself enjoyed being a part of Angry Young Men. Taking to Instagram, she shared a heartfelt post and expressed her happiness at being a part of the docu-series that celebrates the legendary duo. “2 Reasons why we love Hindi movies!! The og angry young men Salim, Javed..thank you, Zoya Akhtar, for making me moderate the round table for the documentary.. u know I would have paid to do this,” Farah wrote in the caption of her post.
During her interview in the series, Farah Khan said, “Salim uncle and my mother Menaka Irani, at that time, unfortunately, had done a movie together, where she was being launched as a heroine. This skinny Parsi girl and Salim uncle, who my grandmother called ‘Mahim ka gunda,’ were launched together in a film called Bachpan (1963).”
Bachpan was produced by Farah Khan’s maternal grandmother, P N Irani. “My nani was a very ferocious old lady, who was the producer of Bachpan. She used to take a cane and hit Salim uncle, if he did not act well! Of course, that movie ran all in one show, I think,” Farah added.
Even Salim Khan himself joked about the film and its casting.“ Farah’s mother was the heroine and I was the hero. The film was doomed from the first shot,” he said.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Angry Young Men spans three episodes and narrates the story of Salim-Javed through various anecdotes. The series highlights how Salim-Javed became a legendary pair, the fees they took, their biggest successes, their eventual decline and the reasons behind their split. It also shines a light on the personal lives of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, including their marriages.
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