Mumbai8 hours agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
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The documentary series 'Angry Young Man' based on Bollywood's most famous scriptwriter duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar is going to be released on August 20. This 3-episode series will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. The 'Angry Young Man' series is directed by Namrata Rao, who will debut as a director with this. Its executive producers include big names like Zoya Akhtar, Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar.
Before the release of the series, Namrata and Zoya spoke to Dainik Bhaskar. Zoya said that she was the one who took the initiative to bring Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar together after a long time. Namrata said that it was a memorable moment to see Salim Khan and Javed sahab together after so many years.
Let's begin the conversation with Namrata Rao and Zoya Akhtar…
Question- Namrata, where did the idea of making the series Angry Young Man come from?
answer- This series was born because of her (Zoya Akhtar). It was her idea and it was only with her help that it became a reality.
Question: Zoya, how did you bring Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan together?
answer- It took no time to bring Salim uncle and Papa together. I wanted the whole world to know how and in what way these two wrote stories. I wanted to share these things with people.
Question- Zoya, what was the reaction of Salim ji and Javed sahab on the making of this series?
answer- Both of them had agreed in the beginning. But both of them had agreed without knowing whether the other person had agreed or not. Both of them said that they had no problem with this. Then after their consent, we started working.
Question- Zoya, did you go to talk to Salim ji?
answer- Yes, I went to talk to him. First he said – yes, yes why not. After this I called Alvira (Salim Khan's elder daughter). Then when Alvira came forward for this work, the whole matter was finalized. Then Farhan and I met Salma Aunty and Salim Uncle at their house. Salma Aunty also blessed us. After this we met Salman and he joined us to produce it.
Question: Zoya and Namrata, what challenges did you face in making this series?
answer- Zoya says- The biggest challenge was to get everyone's time for the interviews. The second big challenge was that the industry does not have a culture of preserving old things like footage of awards functions. So during the making of the series, we had a lot of trouble finding these things. There was also a struggle to get the rights of the footage from every producer.
Namrata said- What Zoya told was definitely a challenge. Finding the old footage was the biggest challenge. During the making, we did not even know the real owner of some footage. In this case, we had to do work like an investigation. According to me, editing was also a big challenge. We had shot a lot in the beginning, then we had to work hard to fit it according to the script.
Question: Zoya and Namrata, what was the most beautiful moment during the making of the series?
answer- We would not like to say it, but the most beautiful moment was the meeting of both of them (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). That was a very memorable moment for us. Apart from that, there were many other moments which just got captured in our memories.
Question- Namrata, what is special about this series that no one knows about?
answer- It is very personal. It is candid too. How both (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar) wrote films, how they gave birth to new characters. What was the effect of success on both, all these things have been included in it. The initial journey of both their careers has also been discussed.
Question: Zoya, how was the moment of meeting Salim ji and Javed sahab for you?
answer- I was not on the shooting set that day. When I saw the shot, I felt sorry that I wish I was on the set. It was a very beautiful moment. In response to this question, Namrata said- Many people had come to see this shoot. Some people from the industry had also come. Everyone wanted to see what the two would talk about when they meet for the first time after so many years.
Question- Zoya, you have seen Salim-Javed's work very closely. Would you like to share any old memorable moment?
answer- I don't remember much because I was very young. However, I remember his scripts. I remember his (Javed Akhtar's) sheets where he used to write. I remember his voice during narration. The room where he used to work is now my room. I also remember the places where he used to work.
Question- Zoya, have you discussed the scenes written by Javed Sahab with him?
answer- Yes, this has happened. Papa used to tell that most of the stories came from Salim uncle. Both of them used to write the screenplay together. Papa used to write most of the dialogues.
Question- Salim-Javed's writing fees were equal to that of a big superstar. Zoya, what do you have to say on this?
answer- Both of them had a lot of faith in their work. They knew which film would work and which would not. They would tell the makers how much they wanted to be paid, otherwise they would not give the script. Both of them had one hit film after another. In a way, they were ruling the industry. People wanted to work with them, actors were desperate to work with them.
On this, Namrata says- People used to laugh at both of them in the beginning, when they used to ask for money equal to the hero's fee. But they still did all this. They also enjoyed it a lot. The special thing is that during the making of this series, we came to know that in the beginning many people did not know that Salim-Javed are two people. Many people thought that this is the name of one person. This was a funny thing.
Question- At the trailer launch of this series, Javed sahab said that both of them want to work together again after 42 years. What do you both have to say on this?
answer- Namrata says- Both of them separated in June 1981. It has been a long time now. We always tell them to work together. We are also waiting for this.
Question: Zoya, did Javed sahab tell you any story during the making of a film like Sholay or Trishul?
answer- No, I was 3 years old when Sholay was released. Later, I started hearing stories about it. One story is that Sholay did not work in the beginning. Everyone was scared because the film did not get a good opening. There were discussions about changing the ending of the film. However, then everyone stopped. After some time, the film gained momentum due to word of mouth. Then this film ran for 7 years in one theatre.
Question- Namrata, Salim-Javed had set a different trend with the Angry Young Man in the romantic era. What do you have to say on this?
answer- Yes, this is true. Rajesh Khanna was the rage at that time. Then he introduced a hero to the world who could neither sing nor romance. Still, people liked him a lot.
Question- Zoya, what is the reaction of people in the industry on this documentary series?
answer- A lot of messages are coming. Vicky Kaushal also sent a message. Salim uncle and papa are also feeling very emotional. They are also getting a lot of calls.
