Javed Akhtar reveals the REAL reason behind the split with Salim Khan

The ones who were ruling Bollywood and were commanding more money and respect than the leading men of the silver screen were the inimitable screenplay writer duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, who were popularly known as ‘Salim-Javed’. 

After having delivered back-to-back hits, superhits and smash hits, just as when everyone thought they will continue ruling Bollywood forever, there came a shocking news that no one ever expected or anticipated, even in the wildest of their dreams. The news about Salim-Javed splitting with each other. Needless to say, this brought the entire Bollywood to a shocking standstill.

Till date, the real reason behind the split remains an eternal mystery. But now it seems that the answer to the question has finally been addressed and answered. The reply came from none other than Javed Akhtar himself, in the just released documentary series Angry Young Men on Prime Video.

Also Read: Angry Young Men Review - Salim Khan - Javed Akhtar’s iconic jodi presented with warmth and insightful anecdotes 

In the said documentary, it shows that it was Javed Akhtar who initiated to bring an end to the Salim-Javed jodi. On his part, Javed Akhtar said (a gist), “When you start working together, you are new in the business, you don’t know many people. Perhaps, out of 24 hours, we were together for 18 hours. Then, went on to make new friends, and he (Salim Khan) also made new friends. Gradually, our circles started separating. Our evening meetings stopped”.

Javed attributed that was also a reason (for the split), but clarified that it was not the major reason. He said, “The major reason, according to me, was that the spring of our career was drying up. Fatigue was showing in our work too. No doubt about that.

Also Read: Docuseries celebrates the legacy of writer duo Salim-Javed

On the other hand, the dignified Salim Khan said that, even though they both (him and Javed Akhtar) decided to part ways, they also decided not to divulge the reason for their split for public consumption. He said, “Haan… we did part ways but we did it in a very civilized way. Normally what happens when people part ways, they resort to mudslinging at each other and talk bad (about the other person)". 

He added, "I would tell my side of the story and on his part, he (Javed Akhtar) would give his side of the story. Even when people asked us about it (the split), we would say that we don’t know…we don’t like to talk about it. We only speak about the good times we had”.

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