9 lesser-known facts about Salim – Javed

Author: Satish Sundaresan

By his own admission, the legendary Salim Khan revealed that he used to write love letters ‘FOR’ many people. And when he left his hometown, many were left heartbroken!

Salim Khan wrote love letters for others?

Salim Khan revealed that, seeing his dashing personality, he was signed to play the role of Ajit’s younger brother in the film Baarat!

Salim Khan’s silver screen debut

Farah Khan revealed that Salim Khan saab did a film titled Bachpan, which served as the launch pad of her mother Menaka Irani. The film was produced by Farah Khan’s nanny!

Salim Khan paired opposite Farah Khan’s mother!

Salim Khan revealed that since he needed money to run the family after getting married, he did ads for cigarettes, clothing, shirts… almost anything that came his way!

For the need of money…

The extremely affable Salim Khan revealed that he wrote his first script Do Bhai, which was later purchased by the late Ashok Kumar.

Salim Khan’s first solo project as a writer!

Karan Johar revealed that he heard his father tell his mother that Salim-Javed had asked Rs. One lakh more of what was being paid to the film’s hero Amitabh Bachchan!

Always one step ahead of the hero!

After seeing their names missing on the posters of Zanjeer, Salim-Javed hired a painter and instructed him to add their names in all the posters which were put all over the city!

TAKE credit where it's due!

Before Big B, the film was offered to the (late) Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Raj Kumar, and even Dilip Kumar… all of them refused! The rest is… history!

Big B was NOT the OG choice for Zanjeer

Did you know that the first film that Salim-Javed signed as screenplay writers was Adhikaar, in which they ghost wrote for someone, without them getting any credits!

Salim-Javed’s big debut …. BUT….