Salim Khan reveals Amitabh Bachchan could have prevented his split with Javed Akhtar

The split between the iconic screenwriting duo Salim-Javed remains one of the most discussed topics in Bollywood history. Despite their remarkable success together, including hits like 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat', 'Trishul', and 'Mr. India', the reasons behind their separation in 1982 have largely remained shrouded in mystery. However, in a recent interview, Salim Khan has shed light on an intriguing possibility: Amitabh Bachchan could have been the key to preventing their split.

Reflecting on the period leading up to their separation, Salim Khan in his conversation with NDTV revealed, “Jab unhone mujhse kaha ki main alag (films) banana chahta huun, maine kaha thik hai, koi dikkat nahi. Kisiko zabardasti rok nahi sakte. Mujhe toh abhi bhi nahi malum kyun alag hue. Ho gaya toh ho gaya” (When he informed me that he wanted to work separately, I said okay, no problem. You can’t force someone to stay. Even now, I don’t know why we separated. It just happened). Salim’s statement revealed his acceptance of the split, despite not fully understanding the reasons behind it.

Salim also shared his thoughts on how the situation might have played out differently if Amitabh Bachchan had been involved. He mentioned, “Lekin main agar hota unki [Amitabh Bachchan] jagah… unko [Javed Akhtar] yehi raye deta ‘Maat chodo accha khasa tumhari ek jodi hai, kaam kar raahe ho accha khasa chal raha kahe ke liye isko chodhte ho?’ Mai hota toh yeh karta” (But if I were in Amitabh Bachchan’s place... I would have advised Javed Akhtar not to leave, pointing out that they had a successful partnership, everything was going well, and questioning why they would end it. If it were me, I would have done that).


The partnership of Salim-Javed was one of the most prolific in Indian cinema, having produced 22 Bollywood blockbusters, including classics like 'Seeta Aur Geeta' and 'Dostana'. Their collaboration extended beyond Bollywood, including two Kannada films, showcasing their versatility and impact on Indian cinema.

Recently, this duo’s journey got showcased, in the the new docuseries 'Angry Young Men.' It delves into the era of Salim-Javed’s collaboration and their influence on the industry. However, it does not delve deeply into the reasons behind their split. The series provides a nostalgic look at their groundbreaking work but leaves some questions unanswered about the personal and professional dynamics that led to their separation.