Angry Young Men (mini series)

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Angry Young Men
Promotional poster
GenreDocumentary
Directed byNamrata Rao
Creative directorZoya Akhtar (concept)
Starring
Country of originIndia
Original languageHindi
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producers
Producers
EditorGeeta Singh
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
Release20 August 2024 (2024-08-20)
This article is about the 2024 documentary. For the group of British authors of the 1950s, see Angry young men. For other uses, see Angry young man (disambiguation).

Angry Young Men is a 2024 Indian documentary miniseries about the screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, popularly known as Salim–Javed.[1] Directed by Namrata Rao in her feature debut, the three-part series premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 20 August 2024.[2][3][4] It focuses on the professional journey of Salim–Javed and their influence on Hindi cinema, especially through the creation of the "angry young man" character type made popular by actor Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s.[5][6] The series uses a mix of archival footage and new interviews with actors, filmmakers, and family members.[7]

Series summary

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The series is divided into three episodes. The first episode, "Origins and Rise," begins with the early lives of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar when they moved to Mumbai, and struggled to establish themselves in the film industry. Salim Khan came from Indore with an interest in acting, while Javed Akhtar came from Bhopal with the aim of becoming a director, beginning as an assistant. The episode explores Salim’s roles as an actor in films such as Baraat (1960), Ramu Dada (1961), Professor (1962 film), and Bachpan (1963). He first met Javed on the set of Sarhadi Lutera (1966), with Salim as one of the stars and Javed as an assistant. After becoming friends, they worked as a ghostwriting team, developing the screenplay for Adhikar (1971). This led to positions with director Ramesh Sippy's company in the writing department. The episode then explores the birth of Salim-Javed as a writing team for films such as Andaz (1971 film), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), and Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). The episode ends with the development of the "angry young man" character (drawn from the difficulties that they experienced in their earlier years). It is embodied as "Vijay" by the actor Amitabh Bachchan in Zanjeer (1973).

The second episode, Golden Period highlights their rise, as well as that of "the angry young man" films (with Bachchan returning, often as “Vijay”). It highlights the two films that dominated 1975 Deewaar and Sholay (both are now considered two of the greatest films in Hindi cinema). These films reflected reflected the angst and mood of India in the 1970s, with regard to corruption, inequality, and public frustration. Deewar and Sholay in particular were released in the same year as The Emergency (1975). The episode also examines the popularity of the films Trishul (1978) and Shakti (1982).

The third and final episode, Dissolution focuses on the films of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the decline of their partnership. It begins with their first failure (Immaan Dharam, 1977), then explores the films that followed. Their next film Don (1978) was a huge success as was Trishul (1978) and Kaala Patthar (1979). It concludes with an examination of Dostana (1980) and Shaan (1980). The episode ends with the dissolution of the partnership, with family members and colleagues speaking openly about the reasons behind their split.

The series also looks at how Salim–Javed changed the status of screenwriters in the Hindi film industry, as they were among the first to demand credit and higher pay, which led to better recognition for writers.

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Episode 1: Origins and Rise

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Amitabh Bachchan's rise as the 'Angry Young Man'
Year Film Cast Director/Notes
1971 Andaz (1971 film) Shammi Kapoor Dir. Ramesh Sippy; Debut of Salim-Javed
Hema Malini
Rajesh Khanna
1971 Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film) Rajesh Khanna Dir. M. A. Thirumugam
Tanuja
1972 Seeta Aur Geeta Dharmendra Dir. Ramesh Sippy
Sanjeev Kumar
Hema Malini
Honey Irani
Manorama
1973 Yaadon Ki Baaraat Dharmendra Dir. Nasir Hussain
Zeenat Aman
Neetu Singh
1973 Zanjeer (1973 film) Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Prakash Mehra; Introduces the "angry young man," Vijay (embodied by Amitabh Bachchan); first collaboration between Salim-Javed and Bachchan.[8]
Jaya Bhaduri
Pran

Episode 2: Golden Period

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Year Film Cast Director/Notes
1975 Deewaar Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Yash Chopra; Considered a "landmark" in Hindi Cinema, developing the "angry young man" character "Vijay" (Amitabh Bachchan)[9]
See also: The Romantics (TV series)
Shashi Kapoor
Neetu Singh
Parveen Babi
Nirupa Roy
1975 Sholay Dharmendra Dir. Ramesh Sippy; Conidered one of the greatest films of Hindi cinema,[10] developing the "angry young man" character "Jai" (Amitabh Bachchan)[9]
Amitabh Bachchan
Hema Malini
Jaya Bhaduri
Sanjeev Kumar
Helen (actress)
Amjad Khan
1978 Trishul (film) Shashi Kapoor Dir. Yash Chopra; Continues with "the angry young man" character "Vijay" (Amitabh Bachchan)[11]
Amitabh Bachchan
Hema Malini
Raakhee
1982 Shakti (1982 film) Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Ramesh Sippy; Continues with "the angry young man" character "Vijay" (Amitabh Bachchan)[11]
Dilip Kumar

Episode 3: Dissolution

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Year Film Cast Director/Notes
1977 Immaan Dharam Shashi Kapoor Dir. Desh Muckherjee
Amitabh Bachchan
Rekha
Aparna Sen
Helen (actress)
Prem Chopra
1977 Don (1978 film) Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Chandra Barot; Continues with "the angry young man" character "Don" and "Vijay" (Amitabh Bachchan)[12]
Zeenat Aman
Helen (actress)
Pran
Iftekhar
Om Shivpuri
1979 Kaala Patthar Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Yash Chopra; Continues with the "angry young man" character Vijay (embodied by Amitabh Bachchan)[8]
Shashi Kapoor
Parveen Babi
Neetu Singh
1980 Dostana (1980 film) Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Raj Khosla; Continues with the "angry young man" character Vijay (embodied by Amitabh Bachchan)[13]
Zeenat Aman
Helen (actress)
Pran
1980 Shaan (1980 film) Amitabh Bachchan Dir. Ramesh Sippy; Continues with the "angry young man" character Vijay (embodied by Amitabh Bachchan)[13]
Shashi Kapoor
Sunil Dutt
Helen (actress)
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Main

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Actors

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Filmmakers

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Writers, musicians, and critics

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Production

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The series was directed by Namrata Rao, a National Award-winning film editor. Although the idea for the documentary came from Zoya Akhtar, she chose not to direct it herself, saying it would be too personal. Rao aimed to maintain objectivity while telling the story of Salim–Javed. Filming took place over three years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team collected more than 800 hours of footage, which was later edited into three episodes with help from editor Geeta Singh. The series was produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media & Entertainment (owned by Farhan Akhtar), and Tiger Baby (founded by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti).[14] Executive producers include Salma Khan, Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Ritesh Sidhwani.[7][5]

Rao deliberately chose to interview Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar separately in order to allow each writer to focus on his personal story.[15] The series also includes views from women in their families and industry colleagues, touching upon how their films portrayed female characters.[7][16]

Reception

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Filmfare gave the series 5 out of 5 stars and described it as a "must-watch."[17] NDTV says that it “does a perfect job of spotlighting the cornerstones of the Salim Khan-Javed Akhtar partnership that, in the 1970s, yielded a few of the greatest Hindi megahits” while also not being a hagiography.[18] India Today (4/5) says that the documentary is as "engaging as any full-blown masala entertainer.”[19] The Times of India (4/5) states that the film "is as much a reality check on the downside of success as much as it’s a fitting tribute to the glorious journey of screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar."[20]

The Wire argues that it is “pleasurable, comforting and fun. But it’s also limited in its perspective, and unwilling to critically examine its subjects beyond a point.”[21] Livemint says that "despite all the interviews they gave and books written on their films, there was still a lot we didn’t know about Salim-Javed. After 135 minutes, we still don’t."[22] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com suggests that the documentary "lacks that IT factor, a sense of exclusivity befitting their legend."[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Angry Young Men Review: More warmth than anger in Salim-Javed documentary". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  2. ^ Kumar, Anuj (2024-08-22). "'Angry Young Men' docu-series review: Decoding Vijay with Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  3. ^ "5 reasons why you must watch Salim-Javed's docu-series 'Angry Young Men'". @mathrubhumi. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  4. ^ Raavi, Sridhar (2024-08-13). "Angry Young Men: Star Studded Docu Leaves Salman Nervous". M9.news. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  5. ^ a b "Angry Young Men: The Audacity of Salim and Javed". www.thevoiceoffashion.com. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  6. ^ "Angry Young Men on Prime Video offers an incisive exploration of Salim-Javed's legacy".
  7. ^ a b c "Making of Salim-Javed docu Angry Young Men: 800 hours of footage, inclusion of KGF star Yash and why Zoya Akhtar didn't want screenwriters' kids to direct it". The Indian Express. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  8. ^ a b The Cult of the Angry Young Man
  9. ^ a b 'Deewaar' Turns 50: Amitabh Bachchan, Salim-Javed, and the Birth of the New Bollywood Hero
  10. ^ Verma, Rahul (14 August 2015). "Sholay: The Star Wars of Bollywood?". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  11. ^ a b Why audiences loved the angry young man
  12. ^ Amitabh Bachchan's 8 iconic roles that made him the undisputed Angry Young Man of Bollywood
  13. ^ a b Angry Young Men review: A fascinating peek into the Salim-Javed story
  14. ^ "Angry Young Man Trailer Launch".
  15. ^ "Zoya Akhtar reveals reason behind Salim-Javed's separate interviews in Angry Young Men". Times of India. September 2, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "Excited for Salim-Javed's Angry Young Men? Until then watch these 7 iconic & must-watch movies by the writer duo that changed Indian cinema forever; on Amazon Prime Video & other OTT platforms". GQ India. 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  17. ^ Angry Young Men Review: Salim Khan & Javed Akhtar are the OG rockstars. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via flimfare.come.
  18. ^ "Angry Young Men Review: Absolutely Deserving Of A Documentary Mini-Series Treatment". NDTV. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  19. ^ "'Angry Young Men' review: A fitting tribute to Salim-Javed's stardom and angst". India Today. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  20. ^ Angry Young Men Season 1 Review: Salim-Javed deliver yet another blockbuster. Retrieved 2025-06-17 – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  21. ^ "Angry Young Men: A Starstruck Docu-Series That Doesn't Ask Tough Questions of Its Subjects". The Wire. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  22. ^ Bhatia, Uday (27 August 2024). "'Angry Young Men' review: A soft-hearted tribute and a missed opportunity". Mint.
  23. ^ VERMA, SUKANYA. "Angry Young Men Review: Seeking Salim-Javed". Rediff. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
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