Why Today's Writers Should Take A Cue From Salim-Javed

Salim Khan, along with Javed Akhtar, introduced Bollywood to a whole new style of screenplay writing. From 1971 to 1987, the duo gave Hindi films dhamakedaar scenes, dialogues and characters before pulling the curtains on their partnership with Mr. India.

On Salim Khan's 80th birthday today, take a look at the most memorable dialogues of the celebrated writers. 

'Jab tak baithne ko na kaha jaaye, tab tak sharafat se khade raho. Yeh police station hai, tumhare baap ka ghar nahi...' (Zanjeer, 1973): 


Video source: Epic Dialogues

This scene between Amitabh Bachchan as Inspector Vijay Khanna and Pran as Sher Khan is considered iconic. The film established Amitabh as the 'Angry Young Man'!

'Kitne aadmi the?' (Sholay, 1975):


Video Source: Movie Bluffer

Gabbar Singh wouldn't have become the iconic villain that he is, had it not been for Salim-Javed. His introduction scene with this line, is one of the best ever written for a negative lead.

The film was a goldmine of iconic scenes and dialogues. Even Sanjeev Kumar saying 'Loha garam hai, maar do hathoda' and AK Hangal as Imaam saab saying, 'Itna sannata kyun hai bhai' are an inseparable part of popular culture.

And the sequences are just as spectacular. Be it the train-chase scene with Bachchan, Dharmendra and Kumar fighting dacoits or the sharaabi scene with Dharmendra threatening suicide.


'Mere paas maa hai' (Deewaar, 1975): 


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Another film laced with some unforgettable lines.

Can you think of any other dialogue that holds as much gravitas as 'Main aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahi uthata'? Or the resolute way in which Bachchan declares, 'Jaao jaakar pehle uss aadmi ka sign leke aao jisne mere haath par likh diya ki mera baap chor hai'?

The confrontational scene between on-screen brothers Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor under a bridge has a special place in cinema history.

'Don ka intezaar to barah mulkon ki police kar rahi hai, par don ko pakdna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai' (Don, 1978): 


Video source: Epic Dialogues

Imagine the power of that one line that forced Farhan Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan to remake the film.


'Jeb mein paanch phooti kaudi nahi hai aur main aapke saath paanch lakh ka sauda karne aaya hoon. Paas hai to sirf meri maa ka aashirwaad...' (Trishul, 1978): 


Video Source: Zee Classic

There was something about the way Salim-Javed wrote the confrontational scenes between key characters. In Trishul, Sanjeev Kumar has a war of words with his illegitimate son played Bachchan, entirely unaware of who he is. You want to clap and whistle when Bachchan closes the scene with this powerful line.

'Mogambo khush hua' (Mr India, 1987):
 

Video source: Shemaroo

Much like their previous creation Gabbar Singh, Mogambo is another villain who remains immortal. The menacing way in which Amrish Puri said the dialogue, made it a scene to remember.

This was Salim-Javed's last outing together. The simplicity of the script, the finishing touches to even the smallest of characters and quirky names like Miss Hawa Hawai, Daaga and Teja are outcomes of two classic minds that parted ways, perhaps too prematurely!


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