Renowned script writer Javed Akhtar recalls how Rajesh Khanna helped him and Salim Khan grow rich
Renowned script writer Javed Akhtar recalls how Rajesh Khanna helped him and Salim Khan grow rich
It goes without saying that Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan with their power-packed scripts have given Bollywood many blockbusters.
However, after working together for some time, they parted ways. Thereafter, Akhtar started writing songs. Recently, he appeared on Arbaaz Khan’s chat show ‘The Invincibles’ and narrated an interesting story. Javed Akhtar revealed that legendary actor Rajesh Khanna helped him and Salim Khan a lot in earning money.
Amid an interaction with Arbaaz Khan, Javed asserted ,
‘Back in time, the makers of Andaz got stuck in making the second half of the film. We made the second half of the film. Our name appeared in the additional screenplay.
Now, at this time around of the year 1969-70, Rajesh Khanna’s new film turned a big hit. He used to meet him and Salim everyday. This is how a bond emerged between Rajesh Khanna, Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan.
Akhtar further quoted,
‘One day Rajesh Khanna met him with Salim saying said that He is buying an expensive house on Carter Road worth
Rs. 4 lakhs whereas producer has given him a whopping
Rs 2.5 lakh signing amount whichh he cannot return it. But if he works on that script, he will exit the film industry. He gave us the offer of correcting the second half of the film in such a way that it works on the box office.’
Placed a condition in front of the producer:
Javed Akhtar stated, ‘I read the script to see what it is. We put forward a condition to the producer. It was that the hero will remain same and we will save your four elephants too. But besides this, we will change everything. We worked on its screenplay and narrated them the improvised version. They liked it. Then, Rajesh Khanna gave us ten thousand rupees- five thousand to Salim and five thousand to me. This made me and Salim richer. Those were the days..
Javed and Salim Khan were responsible as screenwriters for the success of popular Hindi films such as Zanjeer, Sholay, Don and Deewaar, among others.
News Input K.V.Raman
