How Salim-Javed Earned More Than Amitabh Bachchan: The Iconic Story Behind Their Rs 21 Lakh Fee

The trailer for Angry Young Men, a docu-series that delves into the iconic duo Salim-Javed’s legendary journey, has taken the internet by storm. This series sheds light on the extraordinary rise of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, the writing team behind 22 blockbuster hits out of the 24 films they collaborated on. It’s a rare moment in Indian cinema when writers, often overshadowed by stars, are celebrated in such a grand manner.

Globally, writers are acknowledged as the backbone of any successful film, but in Indian cinema, they’ve often been underappreciated. Salim-Javed, however, defied this norm. They revolutionised the industry by demanding fees on par with the top actors, proving that a powerful script could draw in audiences just as much as a star could. They became the only writing duo to achieve star status, with their names often billed alongside leading actors.

In the late 1970s, Salim-Javed were synonymous with success, delivering unforgettable films like Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Zanjeer, Deewar, and Sholay. The Angry Young Men trailer reveals that at the height of their fame, they demanded and received a fee of Rs 21 lakh per film—an amount higher than what even Amitabh Bachchan, India’s highest-paid actor at the time, earned. A graphic in the trailer highlights this, showing Amitabh’s fee at Rs 20 lakh, with other stars like Rajesh Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha earning significantly less. Karan Johar, in the documentary, quips, “Can you imagine if a writer today asked for a crore more than Salman Khan? That was the power of Salim-Javed.”

The docu-series features interviews with a slew of Bollywood icons, including Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, and many others, who reflect on the immense influence Salim-Javed had on the industry. The series also explores the duo’s eventual split, a breakup that sent shockwaves through Bollywood.

At the trailer launch, Salim Khan reminisced about his journey, saying, “I began my career in front of the camera but found my true calling in storytelling. Javed and I shared a passion for writing, and together, we challenged industry norms and created something special. I’m thrilled that our journey is being documented for future generations, and I hope it inspires others to pursue their passions fearlessly.”

Angry Young Men promises to be a riveting watch, offering an in-depth look at the writers who redefined the role of screenwriters in Indian cinema.