Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 10: Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar were the legendary screenwriting duo who revolutionised Hindi cinema in the 1970s with a string of iconic blockbusters that remain unparalleled. From Sholay to Deewaar, their storytelling defined an era. However, fans were left heartbroken when the iconic Salim-Javed partnership abruptly ended — a split that, even decades later, remains clouded in mystery.

While the real reason behind their separation wasn’t addressed even in their acclaimed documentary series Angry Young Men, Javed Akhtar recently offered a rare insight into that turning point during an interview with Mid-Day.

According to Akhtar, one of their final collaborative ideas was a film based on the concept of an invisible man — which would later evolve into the cult classic Mr India. Originally, the film was envisioned for Amitabh Bachchan. “We parted ways in 1982, the date was June 21. Salim saheb had come to my house. We had our conversation there. It was before the split that we thought of this idea of Mr India,” Akhtar recalled. After the split, Akhtar took on the project solo, writing the screenplay, dialogues, and story, which eventually starred Anil Kapoor in the lead.

Rumours at the time speculated that Javed Akhtar's growing closeness to Amitabh Bachchan had caused friction between the duo. Akhtar addressed these long-standing whispers, clarifying that his relationship with Bachchan had nothing to do with the partnership's dissolution. In fact, the rumours affected him so deeply that he deliberately avoided working with the superstar for nearly a decade. “I had many offers to work with Amitabh Bachchan, but I didn’t take them up. I didn’t want anyone to believe I had left Salim sahab because of some support or favour. The first film I did with him after the split was Azaad,” Akhtar said.

Despite the professional parting, Akhtar revealed that he always held Salim Khan in high regard. He noted that while their working relationship was based on equality, there was always mutual respect — particularly shaped by the cultural tradition of respecting elders. “We were equals while writing, but we come from a culture where the younger one respects the elder. Salim sahab was more experienced and older, so outside of work, that relationship remained intact,” he explained.

The Salim-Javed legacy remains unmatched in Indian cinema, and though their split marked the end of an era, both continued to make significant contributions to the industry in their individual capacities. Akhtar’s candid reflection adds a poignant human dimension to one of Bollywood’s most talked-about creative partnerships.