Javed Akhtar reveals the real reason behind parting ways with Salim Khan: “We did not fight, there was no issue about credit or money”

Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan were the blockbuster duo of Bollywood who have given several landmark films. They wrote some of the most iconic Hindi films of the ’70s, like Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer, Don, Haathi Mere Saathi, Yaadon Ki Baarat. They ended their partnership of 12 years in 1982. In a recent interview, the veteran writer shared the real reason behind their split.

Javed Akhtar on the split with Salim Khan

Speaking with Barkha Dutt for Mojo Story, Javed Akhtar said, “When we began, both of us were nobodies, we only had each other. So, we would spend a lot of time together, sit by the sea, talk about stories. He would come to my room, I had one paying guest room, or I would go to his house, which was a small one. But when you become bigger, more successful, many more people enter your life. Then all those desires which were dormant, all those interests which were dormant… The moment you have done something which was the main issue of your life or the main interest, you reach a satisfactory position and then all the other interests start emerging.”

Javed Akhtar – Salim Khan

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He clarified that their split had nothing to do with money or credit. “You start meeting different kind of people and then gradually you become different people and that is what happened. We did not fight, there was no issue about credit, there was never any issue about money, there was nothing. We just grew apart. One realised that relationship is no longer there, that we now don’t sit together in the evening, we have our own set of friends. Gradually that happened and the rapport weakened, and it was reflecting on our work also,” he added.

Last year, in an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, Arbaaz Khan opened up about Salim and Javed’s current relationship. He said that the duo has mended ways and often connects over phone calls.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Arbaaz Khan opens up about dealing with Salim-Javed’s unexpected split, says ‘we were quite affected’