Angry Young Men

8.0

2024•45m

Angry Young Men is the story of Salim-Javed, legendary screenwriters of 1970s Hindi cinema. Together, they created the archetype of the Angry Young Man - a brooding anti-hero who captured the imagination of an entire nation with his rage, defiance, and quest for social justice. Like the character they created, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, two outsiders to the Hindi film industry, defied all odds, questioning the position of writers and demanding recognition as much as the reigning stars of that time. Their break-up made headlines for many years and Indian cinema never saw a cultural collaboration as powerful again. This is a personal and candid account of their lives, their writing and their legacy.

Production

Seasons

3 Episodes • Premiered 2024

1. Main Phenke Hue Paise Nahin Uthata

The origin story of Salim-Javed, the legendary screenwriters of Hindi cinema, who co-wrote 24 films, of which 20 were mega hits, including Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay and Don. Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar were two ‘outsiders’ who came to Bombay with only dreams and rose to superstardom, on their terms. This is a story of resilience, defiance and chutzpah.

2. Mere Paas Maa Hai

The story behind the creation of the character of ’Vijay’ (immortalised by Amitabh Bachchan) who set the screen on fire and connected deeply with an entire nation. Discover how their personal stories and experiences influenced their writing - creating unforgettable characters, and timeless dialogue. And also, how their meteoric rise to success became a test of their partnership.

3. Kitne Aadmi Thay?

The story of the first failure after many successes, and its impact. What happened when the partnership faltered and there were upheavals in their personal lives at the same time? A deeply personal account of life after the split and the legacies they have created. Also a look into the position of the Hindi film writer today and whether the journey is any easier now.