Indian cinema witnessed the end of a prolific partnership, Salim-Javed, in 1981. While many assumed Amitabh Bachchan had a part to play in it, Javed Akhtar, on Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist series, clears the air once and for all
Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan, Amitabh Bachchan Pic/AFP
Rumours were rife that iconic screenwriter duo Salim-Javed’s last collaboration, Mr India (1987), was originally penned with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in mind. However, things didn’t materialise, and Indian cinema witnessed the end of a prolific partnership in 1981. While many assumed Big B had a part to play in it, Javed Akhtar, on Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist series, clears the air once and for all.
Amitabh Bachchan was the OG Mr India
Salim-Javed originally penned the script of Mr India keeping Big B in mind. Javed recalled that noted director and producer Pramod Chakravorty was making a film with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. The megastar was shooting in Europe and was expected to be at the muhurat shot. Since Big B couldn’t, his voice recording was played on a cassette. The veteran star explained, “That gave me an idea that if this voice is so popular and so effective, why can't we make the invisible man with him? And he won't have to give me dates. Most of the time, he will dub his voice. When we (Salim-Javed) parted, the situation changed.”
Did Salim-Javed split because of Big B?
Javed further shared that it was assumed his friendship with Amitabh Bachchan led to the split. To quash such rumours, he didn’t work with the superstar for ten years. “I had some offers, but I did not take them because I didn't want this tag on me that I parted and I broke this partnership because of some support. So, I didn't do it. The first film I did with him after parting was Main Azaad Hoon (1989).”
As for Mr India, the storyline remained with Javed Akhtar, and he developed it all by himself. While initially there were no buyers, Boney Kapoor used it to launch Anil Kapoor alongside Sridevi.
The 1987 film narrates the story of a poor man (Anil) who gives shelter to orphans. After he accidentally discovers his late scientist father's invisibility device, he uses it to save his children and all of India from the clutches of the villain Mogambo, played with iconic aplomb by the late Amrish Puri.
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