During the third session of The Indian Express Expresso, renowned filmmaker Zoya Akhtar delved into the reasons why legendary writers Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan did not share a joint interview in the documentary “Angry Young Men.”

The documentary “Angry Young Men” sheds light on the iconic partnership between Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, whose collaboration brought to life some of Bollywood’s most memorable films, including “Sholay,” “Deewar,” “Trishul,” and “Shakti.” Despite the duo’s legendary status, the documentary features their interviews separately. This intriguing narrative choice has sparked curiosity among fans and critics alike. The film was co-produced by Zoya Akhtar’s production house, Tiger Baby, along with Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and Salman Khan Films. During an enlightening session of The Indian Express’s Expresso, Zoya Akhtar shared the rationale behind this decision.

“Angry Young Men” marks the directorial debut of Namrata Rao, a National Award-winning editor known for her exemplary work in Indian cinema. When asked why Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan only appeared together for a photoshoot at the conclusion of the series, Zoya explained, “I believe it was a deliberate directorial decision by Namrata. As she began filming them separately, she noticed a compelling pattern emerging from their individual lives, journeys, and personal experiences. This approach offered a unique narrative structure that she found appealing. The final meeting for the photoshoot provided a perfect closure to their story. While I supported her vision, it’s best to ask Namrata for a more detailed explanation.”

Namrata Rao has an impressive track record of collaborations with Zoya Akhtar, having worked on projects like “Made in Heaven,” “Lust Stories,” and “Ghost Stories.” Reflecting on their professional relationship, Zoya mentioned in a previous interview with indianexpress.com, “Namrata has a deep love for Hindi cinema and an intimate understanding of Javed and Salim’s work. Her sense of humor was something I knew they’d resonate with.”

Further elaborating on the choice of having Namrata direct the documentary, Zoya said, “I wanted someone outside the immediate family to direct this project. Both Farhan and I are directors; Sohail could have taken it up, and Arbaaz is excellent at personal interviews. However, involving family members would have made it too personal. A certain distance is required to maintain objectivity. Additionally, having a female director offered a fresh perspective on the ‘Angry Young Men,’ who are distinctly male yet non-offensive. Namrata perfectly fit this vision.”

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