Time flies, and iconic Bollywood film ‘Deewaar’ is now 50 years old. Lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar reminisces about the 1975 blockbuster, which he co-wrote with Salim Khan. The duo, famously called Salim-Javed, gave Indian cinema some of its most memorable stories, but ‘Deewaar’ holds a special place in their journey.
Directed by Yash Chopra, ‘Deewaar’, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor, remains etched in the minds of fans for its gripping storyline and iconic dialogues like “Mere paas maa hai” and “Main aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahi uthata.” Released on January 21, 1975, the film focused on two brothers whose lives take very different paths—one becomes an honest cop, and the other a feared criminal.
Javed Akhtar recalled crafting this masterpiece in just 18 days with the dialogues taking another 20. However, they initially struggled with the climax. As Akhtar and Khan worked on the ending near Salim’s Bandra house, they delivered the final scene to Chopra, leaving him silent with emotion.
The film also gave the audience unforgettable moments, including Amitabh Bachchan’s famous temple monologue, “Aaj khush toh bohot honge tum,” which left audiences stunned at the premiere. While some initially laughed at the scene, they quickly realized its emotional weight.
Over the years, ‘Deewaar’ has been celebrated as a textbook example of brilliant storytelling. Its screenplay was even taught at Pune’s Film and Television Institute of India. The film swept the 1976 Filmfare Awards in story, screenplay, and dialogue categories, cementing its legacy as a cinematic gem.
From its unforgettable quotes to its powerful performances, ‘Deewaar’ remains a cornerstone of Bollywood’s golden era, proving timeless storytelling never grows old.