As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of immersion in the vibrant tapestry that is Indian cinema, I must say that “Angry Young Men” promises to be a compelling and long-overdue exploration of one of Bollywood’s most influential partnerships – Salim-Javed. The docu-series, helmed by director Namrata Rao, seems poised to delve deep into the creative brilliance and personal relationships that shaped the landscape of Indian cinema in the 1970s.
Amazon Prime Video will soon debut “Angry Young Men,” a fascinating three-part documentary series chronicling the personal and professional odyssey of the esteemed screenwriting team, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, often referred to jointly as Salim-Javed.
As a lifelong fan of Bollywood cinema, I find the docu-series produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media & Entertainment, and Tiger Baby to be a fascinating exploration of the revolutionary impact that Salim-Javed had on Indian cinema in the 1970s. Having grown up watching Amitabh Bachchan’s films, I was particularly intrigued by the origins of the “angry young man” character and how it disrupted the romance-dominated industry at the time. The docu-series brings to light the innovative ways in which Salim-Javed reinvented the Bollywood formula, introducing the concept of action-drama that continues to be popular today. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the evolution of Indian cinema and the influential role that Salim-Javed played in shaping it.
When filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, who happens to be Javed Akhtar’s daughter, decided to narrate their story, she was aware it was a narrative long overdue. As she grew up around them and witnessed these films, she realized there is a generation unaware of them. She expressed this during her interview with EbMaster, stating, “There isn’t anyone else who has been able to generate such noise, attract that level of attention, create such an impact, and maintain such influence in the industry, purely as writers.”
As a long-time fan of classic Bollywood cinema, I am thrilled to hear about this series that delves into the partnership between Salim and Javed, two legendary writers who created some of the most iconic films in Indian cinema history. Having grown up watching their collaborations like “Deewar,” “Don,” “Sholay,” “Trishul” and “Dostana,” I can’t wait to gain a deeper understanding of the personal relationships, camaraderie, and creative brilliance that went into bringing these unforgettable stories to life. The inclusion of archival footage, reflections from industry figures like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, and heartfelt insights from family members such as Salman Khan, Zoya Akhtar, Javed Akhtar, Arbaaz Khan, Honey Irani, Helen, and Shabani Azmi, promises to offer a rich and immersive experience for fans like me who have been captivated by the magic of Salim-Javed’s work. This series is sure to be a must-watch for anyone who loves Bollywood cinema and wants to gain a deeper appreciation for the people and stories that have left an indelible mark on the industry.
The series signifies Namrata Rao’s first venture into directing, having previously made a name for herself as an editor on productions such as “Kahaani”, Zoya Akhtar’s “Lust Stories” and “Ghost Stories”, and “Made in Heaven”. In conversation with EbMaster, Rao revealed her enthusiasm, saying, “Zoya and I used to discuss this frequently, and every time we did, I would get really excited. After two years, she asked if I wanted to direct it. I was absolutely thrilled, as I found the topic compelling.”
Rao’s perspective as a filmmaker outside the Salim-Javed families brought a fresh approach to the documentary. “Even I was apprehensive in the beginning,” Rao admits, “and I told Zoya also, I mean, we discussed it, and she was also clear that we don’t want to do a birthday video or a puff piece.” This led Rao to tackle some challenging aspects of the Salim-Javed story. “I went all out. I mean, I asked them a lot of uncomfortable questions, and surprisingly, they were very cool about it,” she reveals. The writers’ openness to addressing difficult topics stems from their storytelling instincts, as Rao explains: “I think they also, somewhere believed that good storytelling needs black, white and everything in between. You know, it’s not just ‘we are great.’ So they were very good about it. In fact, they love these parts themselves.”
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my perspective on the making of this film. Needless to say, it was no walk in the park; the production encountered numerous hurdles, one of the most significant being the filming during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our case, we had an elderly cast, which added another layer of complexity. We were donning masks and maintaining distance while shooting, and at times, we had to capture scenes from considerable distances due to safety measures.
Overcoming another substantial barrier was the absence of a well-established system for archiving in the Indian film industry. As Rao states, “We amassed over 500 assets from various producers across the country, and it took nearly a year to compile them all.” Akhtar further notes, “Identifying who owns what, locating the source of each clip, and tracking down the origin of every photograph presented some difficulties.”
In spite of these challenges, Akhtar and Rao discovered the experience to be fulfilling. For Rao, it felt like fate guided their work during the entire production process. “At each stage,” she explains, “we seemed to hit a wall, yet a new path would emerge.”
Akhtar’s most memorable moment was when she organized the launch of the series’ trailer, gathering the loved ones of both Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. “For me, providing them with a sense of closure regarding their shared professional journey was truly the standout moment,” she expressed.
The film is intended to explore the reason behind the long-term separation of Salim and Javed, even as Akhtar remarks, “I believe the final cause for their breakup remains unshared between them.”
Regarding the message they aim for viewers to grasp from the series, both creators underscore the inspiring nature of the Salim-Javed narrative. Akhtar encourages, “Go ahead. Be resolute and pursue your dreams.” Rao echoes, “This is a tale about faith. It’s about daring to dream big and believing that, even if you start with nothing, it doesn’t determine where you’ll end up.”
“The book titled ‘Angry Young Men’ delves into the rise of two renowned screenwriters who embodied the spirit of the 1970s, while simultaneously offering insights into contemporary screenwriting in Bollywood. As Akhtar points out, the current landscape is quite fragmented, with writers often working in isolation. Few are managing to express the voice of an entire generation.”
The series streams from Aug. 20.
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2024-08-16 15:47