'Angry Young Men': A Deep Dive Into Salim-Javed's Cinematic Influence On Prime Video

Prime Video has released the trailer for its upcoming docuseries, Angry Young Men. This three-part series delves into the lives of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, known as Salim-Javed. They transformed Indian cinema in the 1970s by introducing 'angry young man' heroes and popularising action-dramas. Produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media & Entertainment, and Tiger Baby, the series is directed by Namrata Rao. It will premiere on Prime Video in India and over 240 countries on August 20.

The trailer offers a heartfelt look at Salim-Javed's journey and legacy. It highlights their iconic films like Deewar, Don, Sholay, Trishul, and Dostana. These movies have left a lasting mark on Indian cinema. The docuseries features rare archival footage and showcases their rise from humble beginnings to becoming celebrated screenwriters. It also includes reflections from industry figures such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Helen, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Salim Khan expressed his thoughts on the docuseries: "I started my career in front of the camera but realized that my true strength lay in telling stories. That's when I decided to focus on what came naturally to me - writing. I then met Javed who was equally passionate about writing, and together we did some fantastic work together, which I am very proud of. We had an excellent run and achieved great success, and also challenged industry norms along the way. It feels wonderful that our journey is being documented for future generations, and I hope they will be inspired to do their best and not be confined by society's prescribed roles. I'm excited for audiences across the world to see our journey unfold on Prime Video."

Javed Akhtar shared his experiences: "I arrived in this city as a young man with no job, contacts, or money and often going to bed hungry; despite that, quitting never crossed my mind. What I always knew, however, was that my life story was something I would want to share with the world. The support we have received from our family, friends, and the industry in documenting our journey has been heartening and I would like to thank them all for their love. We're delighted to share our story on Prime Video with a global audience, offering them a candid look into our journey from early struggles to achieving our dreams."

The docuseries also captures their personal relationships and creative brilliance through their collaboration across 24 films. Their work redefined Bollywood's storytelling approach during an era dominated by romance films.

Director Namrata Rao's Insights

Namrata Rao shared her excitement about directing Angry Young Men: "Directing this docuseries on Salim-Javed has been an amazing experience. Their story is so inspiring, full of twists & turns and it has been a great opportunity for me to start my journey as a director. Interacting with Salim and Javed saab has taught me so many things about film writing, about life and dealing with the odds an artist face. They are effortlessly candid, witty and vociferous storytellers. Their stories are filled with both deep insights and charming anecdotes. It's also a journey into the larger-than-life cinema of the 70s. I'm excited for everyone to see the unfiltered story of these two legends on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories on August 20."

The series promises an emotional exploration of Salim-Javed's influence on Bollywood through interviews with prominent actors who were impacted by their work.

This docuseries is part of Prime membership benefits in India which include savings, convenience, and entertainment for ₹1499 per year.