Aug 20, 2024
By: Prerna Tyagi
Credit: TOI
If you've grown up in India, chances are you already know about these films, but did you know that they were written by the legendary writer-duo Salim-Javed? As the docu-film ‘Angry Young Men’ on their lives releases today, let's take a look at some of the most iconic films in their joint filmography.
Credit: TOI
Sholay is, to date, regarded as one of the most watched, loved and celebrated Indian films. An amalgamation of different genres, Sholay is a defining example of a commercial Indian masala film.
Credit: IMDb
Evergreen dialogues, an ensemble cast comprising the acting legends of that era and socio-political commentary- all in one commercial film. Such was the magic of Salim-Javed!
Credit: IMDb
Zanjeer is credited with establishing Amitabh Bachchan as a superstar, and paved his image as the angry young man. Zanjeer also marked a significant turning point in Indian cinema at a time when the space was dominated by romantic films.
Credit: IMDb
Another ensemble directed by the legendary Nasir Hussain, Yaadon Ki Baarat is remembered for being the first quintessential Bollywood film. Fun fact: It was Aamir Khan’s first film as an actor!
Credit: IMDb
A financier knee-deep in debt and a rejected script: the story of Don’s inception is as serendipitous as it gets. Don is entrenched into Indian pop-culture, and rightly so! It was remade in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and later in Hindi by Javed Akhtar’s son, Farhan.
Credit: IMDb
Dostana is known to set the trend of Diwali blockbusters. Starring Shatrughan Sinha, Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman, this 1980 film is a staple Salim-Javed film with love, deceit, friendship, action and drama all masterfully packed into one.
Credit: IMDb
Kaala Patthar is set in the background of the 1975 Chasnala mining disaster. It stars Amitabh Bachchan as an ex-Navy captain turned coal mine worker who, with his friends, fights against his tyrant boss- Seth Dhanraj.
Credit: IMDb
Mr. India was Salim-Javed’s last collaboration before their split and is regarded as a landmark film in Indian cinema. The soundtrack, the costumes and Mogambo- nothing about Mr. India is not iconic. It is also one of the few cases of a successful Indian superhero film.
Credit: IMDb
When Amitabh Bachchan wanted a climax speech, he requested Javed Akhtar to write the lines for him, and Javed obliged. Similarly, Salman Khan asked his father Salim Khan to write a few lines before Amitabh's speech. Though these contributions were uncredited, this was technically the last time Salim and Javed worked on the same film (albeit separately).
Credit: IMDb