Zoya Akhtar On Why Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan Didn’t Do Joint Interview In Angry Young Men: ‘The Final Meeting...'

The documentary ‘Angry Young Men’ delves into the legendary collaboration between writers Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, whose partnership gave rise to iconic films such as ‘Sholay’, ‘Deewar’, ‘Trishul’, and ‘Shakti’. The film includes separate interviews with both writers, a creative choice made by director Namrata Rao, a National Award-winning editor making her directorial debut. Co-produced by Zoya Akhtar’s Tiger Baby, Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, and Salman Khan Films, the three-part documentary has sparked interest for its unique approach.

During a session of The Indian Express’s Expresso, Zoya Akhtar offered insights into why Akhtar and Khan did not participate in a joint interview. She explained, “I believe it was a directorial choice. As Namrata began filming them separately, a natural pattern emerged, reflecting their individual journeys and personal lives. That single meeting at the end provided perfect closure. I agreed with her vision, but it’s a question best directed to her.”

Zoya also highlighted her decision to have Namrata direct the documentary. “I wanted someone outside the family to bring a fresh perspective. Namrata loves Hindi films, knows their work intimately, and has a sense of humour that I knew they’d connect with. Her female perspective was crucial in capturing the essence of the ‘Angry Young Men’ in a way that was thoughtful and nuanced.”

Reflecting on her collaboration with Namrata, who has previously worked with her on “Made in Heaven’, ‘Lust Stories’, and ‘Ghost Stories’, Zoya emphasized the importance of having a female gaze to explore the strong male personas that defined Akhtar and Khan’s work, while also offering a deeper, more nuanced understanding of their legacy.

Angry Young Men is a docuseries about iconic Bollywood writer duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. This three-part series looks at how Salim-Javed changed Hindi cinema in the 1970s with their powerful scripts and the famous ‘Angry Young Man’ character. Featuring insights from the duo and industry stars, it shows how their work in blockbusters like Sholay, Deewaar, and Don captured a generation and made a lasting cultural impact. The docuseries aims to provide a personal and honest look at their lives, their writing, and their legacy.