Editing Javed Akhtar (section)

==Career as scriptwriter==
{{main|Salim-Javed}}

Initially, in the 1970s, there was generally no concept of having the same writer for the screenplay, story and dialogue, nor were the writers given any credits in the titles. [[Rajesh Khanna]] is credited with giving [[Salim Khan]] and Javed Akhtar their first chance to become screenplay writers by offering them work in ''[[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/More-facts-about-Rajesh-Khanna/articleshow/15030591.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231114/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/news-interviews/32731341_1_rajesh-khanna-consecutive-solo-superhits-record-in-indian-film | url-status=live | archive-date=2013-12-02 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=More facts about Rajesh Khanna}}</ref> Javed Akhtar stated in an interview that one day, he went to [[Salim Khan|Salimsaab]] and said that Mr. Devar had given him a huge signing amount with which he could complete the payment for his bungalow, Aashirwad. But the film was a remake and the script of the original was far from being satisfactory. "He told us that if we could set right the script, he would make sure we got both money and credit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3718/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720005307/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3718|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 July 2012|title=The Magic of Haathi Mere Saathi - Latest Movie Features - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] }}</ref>

Their first big success was the script for ''[[Andaz (1971 film)|Andaz]]'' (1971), followed by ''[[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]]'' (1971) and ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'' (1972). They also had hits with ''[[Yaadon Ki Baaraat]]'' (1973), ''[[Zanjeer (1973 film)|Zanjeer]]'' (1973), ''[[Haath Ki Safai]]'' (1974), ''[[Deewaar]]'' (1975), ''[[Sholay]]'' (1975), ''[[Chacha Bhatija]]'' (1977), ''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'' (1978), ''[[Trishul (film)|Trishul]]'' (1978), ''[[Dostana (1980 film)|Dostana]]'' (1980), ''[[Kranti]]'' (1981), ''[[Zamana (1985 film)|Zamana]]'' (1985) and ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' (1987). They have worked together in 24 films including two [[Kannada]] films – ''[[Premada Kanike]]'' and ''[[Raja Nanna Raja]]''.

Of the 24 films they wrote, 20 were hits. The scripts they wrote, but which were not successful at box office include ''[[Adhikar (1971 film)|Adhikar]]'' (1971), ''[[Aakhri Daao|Aakhri Dao]]'' (1975), ''[[Immaan Dharam]]'' (1977) and ''[[Shaan (1980 film)|Shaan]]'' (1980). Though they split in 1982, due to ego issues, some of the scripts they wrote were made into hit films later, such as ''[[Zamaana Deewana|Zamana]]'' and ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]''. Salim-Javed, many a time described as "the most successful scriptwriters of all-time",<ref>Sholay, through the eyes of Salim Khan, ''[http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-salim-khan/20120228.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406110656/https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-salim-khan/20120228.htm|date=6 April 2019}}'', Rediff.com</ref> are also noted to be the first scriptwriters in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]] to achieve star status.<ref>Ramesh Dawar (2003), ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111081518/https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC |date=11 January 2023 }}'', Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd.</ref>