The recently released Prime Video docuseries Angry Young Men has emerged as more than just a tribute to the iconic screenwriting duo of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. While the series celebrates the influential work of the legendary writers who shaped 1970s Hindi cinema, it also provides a deeply personal glimpse into the lives of the Khan and Akhtar families, revealing their emotional struggles and complex relationships.
One of the most poignant moments in the series comes from filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar, who opens up about his evolving relationship with his father, Javed Akhtar. Farhan candidly discusses the feelings of anger and betrayal he experienced as a child when his father married actor Shabana Azmi after divorcing his mother, Honey Irani. “There was a phase when I was angry with him, I felt betrayed by him. There were all those very normal emotions that I did go through as a child growing up,” Farhan shares in the series.
Farhan goes on to explain that it took time for their relationship to return to normal, crediting Shabana Azmi for playing a significant role in rebuilding that bond. Javed Akhtar, who married Honey Irani in 1972 and divorced her in 1985, has since been married to Shabana Azmi.
In another segment, Javed Akhtar reflects on his past and expresses regret over his failed marriage with Honey Irani. “Honey is one person in the world towards whom I feel guilty. And she is the only person. Sixty-seventy percent responsibility lies on my shoulders for the failure of that marriage. If I had as much understanding as I have today, perhaps things would not have gone wrong,” Javed Akhtar admits, highlighting the maturity and insight he has gained over the years.
Angry Young Men is produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media and Entertainment, and Tiger Baby, with contributions from Salman Khan, Salma Khan, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti. Directed by Namrata Rao, the series offers a compelling blend of cinematic history and heartfelt personal narratives.