Javed Akhtar

Javed Akhtar is an Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter whose Hindi-film work includes a celebrated writing partnership with Salim Khan.

Sholay: A 1975 Hindi action-adventure film written by Salim–Javed and directed by Ramesh Sippy. This landmark screenplay helped establish the scale and influence of his partnership with Salim Khan.
Salim Khan: An Indian screenwriter and actor who co-wrote major Hindi films with Javed Akhtar as Salim–Javed. Their partnership produced some of Hindi cinema’s most influential screenplays.
Urdu poetry: Poetry composed in Urdu, spanning classical forms and modern literary traditions. Akhtar’s poetry and lyrics draw on Urdu’s vocabulary, forms, and literary culture.
Angry young man: A Hindi-film protagonist archetype defined by a rebellious response to injustice and social corruption. Salim–Javed scripts helped popularize this protagonist in 1970s Hindi cinema.
Deewaar: A 1975 Hindi crime drama written by Salim–Javed and directed by Yash Chopra. Its conflicted brothers and forceful dialogue exemplify the duo’s screenwriting style.
Farhan Akhtar: An Indian filmmaker, actor, and singer who is Javed Akhtar’s son. Farhan’s filmmaking and performance extend the family’s presence in Indian cinema.
Hindi cinema: The film industry centered on Hindi-language filmmaking, especially in Mumbai. His screenwriting and songwriting career developed within this film industry.
Hindi film dialogue: Spoken language written for films made primarily in Hindi. His sharply memorable lines helped shape expectations for Hindi-film dialogue.
Zanjeer: A 1973 Hindi action film written by Salim–Javed and starring Amitabh Bachchan. Its success helped make the angry young man a defining Hindi-film archetype.
Shabana Azmi: An Indian actor and politician married to Javed Akhtar. Their partnership connects his public life with a prominent career in Indian cinema and politics.

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