Javed Akhtar Reflects on Bollywood Icons

Javed Akhtar, part of the legendary writing duo Salim-Javed, recently discussed the challenges of working with Rajesh Khanna, noting that his success was brief due to the negative influence of sycophants. Akhtar emphasized that the scripts they wrote were more suited for Amitabh Bachchan, who was not yet a superstar but an 'unbelievably good actor.' Akhtar praised Bachchan's ability to handle any scene or dialogue naturally, making him ideal for roles like Vijay in films such as Sholay, Don, and Deewaar. The collaboration between Salim-Javed and Bachchan significantly contributed to the latter's rise as India's biggest movie star, particularly with his 'Angry Young Man' roles. Akhtar also mentioned the different writing approaches required for actors of varying talents, highlighting Bachchan’s and Dilip Kumar’s exceptional capabilities. Eventually, Salim-Javed parted ways, but Akhtar reflected fondly on their impactful collaborations.