Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, the legendary writing duo behind iconic Bollywood hits like Sholay, Deewar, Zanjeer, and Don, are celebrated for their significant contribution to Indian cinema. Their stories shaped the careers of stars like Amitabh Bachchan and turned them into household names. However, FIR writer Amit Aryan has recently sparked controversy with his claims that Salim-Javed copied scenes and ideas from other movies, calling into question their originality as writers.
Salim-Javed: Copywriters, Not Writers?
In a candid interview with Digital Commentary, Amit Aryan made startling accusations against Salim-Javed, stating, “I don’t consider them as writers. They’ve spent their entire lives copying scenes and ideas from other films.” According to Aryan, while the world views them as trailblazers in the industry, he sees them as mere “copywriters.”
This statement has stirred heated debates, as Salim-Javed are widely credited for bringing a new era of storytelling to Bollywood. Amit Aryan, however, argues that their success came not from originality but from borrowing ideas from previous films and piecing them together in a commercial package.
Sholay and the Influence of ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’
One of Aryan’s most shocking claims revolves around Sholay, often considered one of the greatest films in Indian cinema. He argues that the storyline of Sholay mirrors the 1971 film Mera Gaon Mera Desh. According to Aryan, Vinod Khanna’s character, Jabbar Singh, a notorious dacoit, served as the inspiration for the iconic Gabbar Singh played by Amjad Khan in Sholay.
Amit Aryan also draws parallels between the characters, noting that both films involve a hero seeking revenge against a villain. In Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Vinod Khanna’s character cuts off one of the hero’s hands. In Sholay, both of Thakur’s hands are cut off by Gabbar, leading to a mission of revenge. Aryan claims that the essence of Sholay was borrowed from this earlier film, suggesting that Salim-Javed merely added their own flair to an already existing story.
Inspiration from ‘Do Aankhen Barah Haath’ and ‘Seven Samurai’
Aryan further highlights how Sholay borrowed from internationally acclaimed films like Do Aankhen Barah Haath and Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. He points out that several scenes and plot elements in Sholay bear striking similarities to these films, suggesting that Salim-Javed were influenced by a mix of Indian and foreign cinema to craft their blockbuster.
Deewar: A Reflection of Ganga Jamuna?
Another famous Salim-Javed film under Aryan’s scrutiny is Deewar, which is widely regarded as a turning point in Amitabh Bachchan’s career. Aryan claims that the film’s climax closely resembles Dilip Kumar’s Ganga Jamuna. According to him, the emotional confrontation between the two brothers in Deewar mimics the emotional core of Ganga Jamuna, implying that the duo once again reused an existing idea rather than creating something fresh.
Business Over Creativity
Amit Aryan goes on to argue that Salim-Javed’s success stemmed from their ability to market and sell their films, not from their originality as writers. He notes that their business acumen was key in packaging stories in ways that appealed to mass audiences, but he criticizes their approach for lacking true creativity. “They weren’t writers, they were good businessmen,” he asserts.
The Legacy Debate
While Amit Aryan’s comments have stirred controversy, it’s undeniable that Salim-Javed’s films played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Bollywood in the 1970s and 80s. Their work continues to be celebrated for its larger-than-life characters and gripping storylines. Whether or not these stories were borrowed from other sources, Salim-Javed’s ability to create compelling, emotionally charged films left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Aryan’s statements have reignited the age-old debate on originality versus inspiration in filmmaking. With so many films drawing influence from others, the line between copying and creative adaptation becomes blurred. However, Aryan’s claims certainly challenge the widely accepted narrative of Salim-Javed’s legacy as Bollywood’s most iconic writing duo.
