Rajesh Khanna: The Superstar Behind Salim-Javed's First Big Break

• Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, 90, is currently on ventilator support at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai.
• Salim Khan's journey began as an actor, appearing in about two dozen films under the name "Prince Salim" before shifting to writing.
• He met Javed Akhtar during the making of Sarhadi Lootera, leading to their legendary writing partnership.
• Their first major break as scriptwriters came with Rajesh Khanna's film Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), which became a massive hit.
• Salim-Javed became the first Indian screenwriters to achieve star status, collaborating on 24 films, with 20 becoming hits.