Salim-Javed-Amitabh
During the last episode of Koffee With Karan, Farhan Akhtar was asked to choose between Javed Akhtar the lyricist or Javed Akhtar the script writer. He his brilliant at both, but there was never a dilemma for Farhan, and neither it was for me. The script, screenplay, dialogue writer wins hands down.
Together with his senior partner, Salim Khan, he has written some amazing screen plays. Of course, they were ably supported by power house performers like Amitabh Bachhan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Pran to name a few. That is why it said that 70s was a golden period of Indian cinema, and above mentioned luminaries had major hand to play in it.
They say Salim, who had incidentally had come to become a hero, had a great sense of plots, while Javed had inherent talent for screenplay and dialogues. That's why their scripts were complete packages, every scene is worth it's penny. They had struck an understanding almost immediately.
Who can forget their first work together, the laugh riot called Seeta Aur Geeta, particularly the scene when Sanjeev Kumar is introducing Hema Malini(Geeta) to his parents. It was very well conceived and had everybody in nuts.
Then came Amitabh Bachhan, and the trio of Salim-Javed-Amitabh torched the screen into flames, movies after movies. Sample this - Zanjeer, Majboor, Sholay, Deewar, Don, Trishul, Kala Paththar, Dostana, Shan, Shakti. Each of them are masterpieces in their own right. All are different from other, though, with basic level of consistency called anger.
Sholay as we know is now legendry, and much has been said about it; but apart from it, if I am asked to choose one from the rest of them for sheer characterization, I would pick up Kala Patthar. What an experiment, and it was very bold of Yash Chopra(what has happened to him now?) to pick up such a difficult script. It needed resources, hard conditions, and above all sensational performances.
A brooding Amitabh, speaking volumes with his eyes. A getting-under-your-wits character of Shatrughan Sinha. Amitabh and Shatrughan were not having best of the relationship at that time, and that Khunnas from the real life translated very nicely into the movie. There were some very well contemplated intense scenes in tea shop. It's unfortunate that movie didn't work out.
My other favourite is Trishul; RK Gupta versus Shanti Constructions. There is not much in story or plot. But revenge is flowing from Amitabh's eyes and voice. Dialogues are full of double-entendres, especially in the scene where Amitabh is hurt while trying to save Poonam Dhillon, and later shakes hands with Sanjeev Kumar. When latter says Ek Baar To Mujhey Laga Mera Khoon Hai, Amitabh aka Vijay retorts Apna Hi Samajhiye, and adds while leaving - Theek Se Dhoiyega, Kuchh Khoon Ke Daag Asaani Se Nahin Chhoot-te. There were many such absorbing scenes in the movie.
And then there is DON. The COMPLETE package movie like Sholay with terrific dialogues, & story and sterling performance by Amitabh both as UP Ka Bhaiyya and DON. In an early scene when Helen asks DON that why did he never fall in love, and he replies in his baritone - Tabhi To Zinda Hoon. And later when Iftikhar tells the other(Pan loving) Amitabh that Don Paan Nahin Chabata Tha; a visibly disappointed Amitabh sighs - Ei To Bahut Hi Galat Karta Tha Don. A smile immediately comes to one's face. Finally, who can forget the famous punch line - Don Ko Zinda Pakadna Mushkil Hi Nahin Namumkin Hai.
Of the rest, I loved Deewar, Mazboor, and Zanzeer. I will talk about them sometime later. There is hardly to choose between them, or find a flaw in them. Shan was also nice, but the old magic couldn't be repeated in Dostana and Shakti. They were a bit disappointing for me, though both of them had their moments.
Of course after Shakti, Salim-Javed, split. Javed later worked with Amitabh in Mai Azaad Hoon, which didn't work out either. However, this trio again came together, though inadvertently, for BaghBaan. The concluding speech of Amitabh(on his request) has been written by Javed Akhtar, and while Salman's(again on his request) reply is written by Salim Khan. This is not mentioned in credits, so not many know that.
Together with his senior partner, Salim Khan, he has written some amazing screen plays. Of course, they were ably supported by power house performers like Amitabh Bachhan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Pran to name a few. That is why it said that 70s was a golden period of Indian cinema, and above mentioned luminaries had major hand to play in it.
They say Salim, who had incidentally had come to become a hero, had a great sense of plots, while Javed had inherent talent for screenplay and dialogues. That's why their scripts were complete packages, every scene is worth it's penny. They had struck an understanding almost immediately.
Who can forget their first work together, the laugh riot called Seeta Aur Geeta, particularly the scene when Sanjeev Kumar is introducing Hema Malini(Geeta) to his parents. It was very well conceived and had everybody in nuts.
Then came Amitabh Bachhan, and the trio of Salim-Javed-Amitabh torched the screen into flames, movies after movies. Sample this - Zanjeer, Majboor, Sholay, Deewar, Don, Trishul, Kala Paththar, Dostana, Shan, Shakti. Each of them are masterpieces in their own right. All are different from other, though, with basic level of consistency called anger.
Sholay as we know is now legendry, and much has been said about it; but apart from it, if I am asked to choose one from the rest of them for sheer characterization, I would pick up Kala Patthar. What an experiment, and it was very bold of Yash Chopra(what has happened to him now?) to pick up such a difficult script. It needed resources, hard conditions, and above all sensational performances.
A brooding Amitabh, speaking volumes with his eyes. A getting-under-your-wits character of Shatrughan Sinha. Amitabh and Shatrughan were not having best of the relationship at that time, and that Khunnas from the real life translated very nicely into the movie. There were some very well contemplated intense scenes in tea shop. It's unfortunate that movie didn't work out.
My other favourite is Trishul; RK Gupta versus Shanti Constructions. There is not much in story or plot. But revenge is flowing from Amitabh's eyes and voice. Dialogues are full of double-entendres, especially in the scene where Amitabh is hurt while trying to save Poonam Dhillon, and later shakes hands with Sanjeev Kumar. When latter says Ek Baar To Mujhey Laga Mera Khoon Hai, Amitabh aka Vijay retorts Apna Hi Samajhiye, and adds while leaving - Theek Se Dhoiyega, Kuchh Khoon Ke Daag Asaani Se Nahin Chhoot-te. There were many such absorbing scenes in the movie.
And then there is DON. The COMPLETE package movie like Sholay with terrific dialogues, & story and sterling performance by Amitabh both as UP Ka Bhaiyya and DON. In an early scene when Helen asks DON that why did he never fall in love, and he replies in his baritone - Tabhi To Zinda Hoon. And later when Iftikhar tells the other(Pan loving) Amitabh that Don Paan Nahin Chabata Tha; a visibly disappointed Amitabh sighs - Ei To Bahut Hi Galat Karta Tha Don. A smile immediately comes to one's face. Finally, who can forget the famous punch line - Don Ko Zinda Pakadna Mushkil Hi Nahin Namumkin Hai.
Of the rest, I loved Deewar, Mazboor, and Zanzeer. I will talk about them sometime later. There is hardly to choose between them, or find a flaw in them. Shan was also nice, but the old magic couldn't be repeated in Dostana and Shakti. They were a bit disappointing for me, though both of them had their moments.
Of course after Shakti, Salim-Javed, split. Javed later worked with Amitabh in Mai Azaad Hoon, which didn't work out either. However, this trio again came together, though inadvertently, for BaghBaan. The concluding speech of Amitabh(on his request) has been written by Javed Akhtar, and while Salman's(again on his request) reply is written by Salim Khan. This is not mentioned in credits, so not many know that.
Labels: Amitabh Bachhan, Javed Akhtar, Salim, Sholay
posted by Unknown at 12:22 PM
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