What Is the Story About?
The 3 episode documentary mini-series follows the rise, fall and seperation of the indomitable writer-duo Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar) that shook 70s Hindi Cinema and changed Indian cinema for the better.
The documentary series traces their childhood, route to success and personal lives while presenting some interesting personal and professional anecdotes from their actors, directors, producers, trade analysts, critics, current generation writers, film-makers and family members.
Performances?
The three part documentary series is filled with takes (mostly admirable words) from today’s actors like Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, directors of Salim-Javed’s times like Ramesh Sippy, Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Trade analyst Komal Nahata, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Mahesh Bhatt, Abhijat Joshi, Rajkumar Hirani and the likes.
However, personal anecdotes from Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan‘s family – be it Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Helen, Honey Irani or Arbaaz Khan adds the much needed personal touch to the series. In particular, it’s Honey Irani who doesn’t mince words and her words on the formidable writer-duo is the best part of the series.
Besides Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar’s anecdotes about their professional growth, success and failure, Anjum Rajabali’s take on Salim-Javed’s women onscreen and Karan Johar’s remarks on the paradigm shift Salim-Javed brought to Hindi Cinema stand out.
Analysis
Directed by Namrata Rao, produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media Entertainment and Tiger Baby, Angry Young Men is a 3 part documentary series that takes a re-look at an influential chapter of Hindi Cinema. It traces the journey of Salim-Javed – Hindi Cinema’s unarguably biggest blockbuster writer duo and traverses through the making of the ‘angry young man’ trope, the rise of the superstar-writer duo, their struggles before, the darker nights before and after that fell upon them.
Divided into three parts – ‘Main Phenke Hue Paise Nahin Uthata’, ‘Mere Paas Maa Hai’ & ‘Kitne Aadmi Thay’ – named after three of the most iconic dialogues that came from the house of Salim-Javed, Angry Young Men begins with a rooster of names praising the legacy, angry-young man trope and influence of the writer duo in their own respective cinema journeys.
Quickly, the narrative shifts to both Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar – both of them parallely narrating their childhood, youth, journey to cinema, the beginning of an era-defining writing partnership and so on. They speak at length about how they found each other and how it was for them to grow on to become the most in demand writers of the Industry by defying set rules and norms.
The very famous 1 lakh extra pay-demand of Salim-Javed for Trishul finds a special mention in one of the episodes of Angry Young Men where they speak about how they asserted themselves in a star-obsessed industry that devalued writers and never gave them credits on reel. From being ghost-writers to getting a painter paint their names on Zanjeer’s posters, to having producers lined to book their screenplays, some of the anecdotes make for a very engaging brew of nostalgia.
Throughout the series, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar mentions about game-changing movies like Zanjeer, Deewar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Trishul, Shakti, Shaan, Kala Pathhar, Don etc while acknowledging their streak of failures and seeds of arrogance during early days (that eventually led to their separation).
While most of the faces simply mollycoddle how Salim-Javed changed the image of a Hindi cinema protagonist to this angsty, angry and Anti-Establishment hero who saves the working class populace, credible criticisms against their work has been un-addressed. Be it plagiarism allegations levelled against them or their heroines that lack substance in a male-centric world, there’s little unpacking done. Except Javed Akhtar’s ex-wife Honey Irani who calls them ‘brats’, nobody even makes it a point to call them out for their arrogance and entitlement. But, that’s quite understandable in a celebratory documentary produced by their children.
Angry Young Men does a lot of things right in celebrating Salim-Javed duo. But the documentary reveals nothing beyond what’s already on the public domain. It would have been really heartening to hear them speak about what actually led to their separation and their struggles functioning individually. While none of their careers took a leap individually, Javed Akhtar cemented his status as a solid lyricist in later years.
Angry Young Men has a tiny footage added at the end where upcoming writers talk about their struggles and how the story has not really changed for writers in cinema today. Their adoration and admiration for Salim-Javed while evident, the series could have shed some light on the transitory years after their separation in script-writing and if a possible collaboration can bring back writers’ glory to Hindi Cinema again.
In short, Angry Young Men is an engaging and heartfelt tribute to a volcanic creative force, i.e Salim-Javed. Their personal and professional anecdotes and trivial filled interviews make for a nostalgic ride for Hindi Cinema fans.
Music and Other Departments?
Pritam Das and team does an appreciable job with the sound and mixing by infusing theme music of some of Salim-Javed’s biggest blockbusters. The Opening credits, and end-credits music are creative and inquisitive as well.
Highlights?
Personal & professional anecdotes
accounts of their struggling days
personal pictures and stills
Engaging narration
Honey Irani & Anjum Rajabali’s thoughts on the writer duo
Drawbacks?
Little discussion on their separation
Little emphasis on plagiarism allegations
Not enough discussion on Salim-Javed’s women characters and politics
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes. There’s not a lot to take home for fans of the writer-duo because everything is in the public domain, but for current generation bollywood fans, the series oozes like a warm brew of nostalgia.
Angry Young Man Series Review by Binged Bureau
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