Salim Khan-Javed Akhtar prolific writers for Bollywood movies
Salim Khan-Javed Akhtar prolific writers for Bollywood movies
Markedly, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar were the most productive writers of their era. They have delivered super-hits like Don, Sholay, Zanjeer and Seeta Aur Geeta among others. None had the audacity to decline their films. However, when a new actor, Rishi Kapoor, rejected Trishul, he was subjected to Salim Khan’s ire.
In his ‘Khullam Khulla’ autobiography, Rishi Kapoor recounted how Salim-Javed were angst at him for refusing Trishul. When Salim Khan saw Rishi Kapoor at a hotel after his refusal the writer even walked up to him and threatened to destroy his career.
Rishi Kapoor wrote, that he was playing a game of snooker when Salim Khan walked over and asked him, ‘How did you have the guts to refuse Salim–Javed?’
Not one to be intimidated, he shot back, that he didn’t like the role.’” adding that Salim saab boasted to him ‘Do you know that to this day nobody has said no to them? They can destroy his career.’
Rishi shot back and wrote, Who will work with you? Salim said the duo had offered Zanjeer to Rajesh Khanna and he turned them down. They didn’t do anything to him but they created an alternative to him, a hero called Amitabh Bachchan, who destroyed Rajesh Khanna. They will do the same to him. However, Rishi mentioned that this feud died down soon.
Trishul eventually featured Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. Salim-Javed collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan for several films, including superhits like Sholay, Don and Agneepath. The writers contributed significantly to Amitabh’s success and even established his ‘angry young man’ image.
Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan wrote 24 films together and of those, 22 were hits. They were the most in-demand writing duo and even charged more fees than the leading actor. Their films include Haathi Mere Saathi, Andaz, Seeta aur Geeta and Kranti among others. They revolutionised the industry by demanding fees on par with the top actors, proving that a powerful script could draw in audiences just as much as a star could. They became the only writing duo to achieve star status, with their names often billed alongside leading actors.
News Edit KV Raman
