Javed Akhtar, the renowned screenwriter and lyricist, has expressed his willingness to write a film for actor Ranbir Kapoor, sparking discussions about the future of Kapoor’s career in relation to the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. In a recent interview, Akhtar was asked if Kapoor could ever achieve the same level of stardom as Bachchan, especially after his role in the controversial film Animal. Akhtar’s response was optimistic: “No, no. I may write a film for him,” accompanied by a smile, indicating his openness to collaborating with the young actor.
Akhtar, who is credited with coining the term “Angry Young Man” in Indian cinema, reflected on the evolution of film characters since the era of Bachchan. He noted that while the ‘angry young man’ archetype was rooted in deep emotional pain, today’s cinema often lacks such nuanced characters. He emphasized that the current generation of filmmakers faces the challenge of creating roles that resonate with audiences, rather than relying solely on anger as a narrative device.
The discussion also touched on the impact of Animal, a film that has received both commercial success and criticism for its portrayal of violence and controversial scenes. Akhtar has previously commented on the film, suggesting that it reflects a broader issue in contemporary storytelling within Bollywood. His remarks come in the wake of a docu-series titled Angry Young Men: The Salim-Javed Story, which highlights his influential career alongside Salim Khan and the legacy of their work in shaping Indian cinema.
As Akhtar considers the potential for a new project with Kapoor, the dialogue around character depth and the evolution of stardom in Bollywood continues to unfold, marking a significant moment in the industry.
