Dharmendra claims Amitabh Bachchan was not first choice for 'Sholay', another iconic action-hero was slated to play Jai
One of Indian cinema's most revered classics, Sholay, may have featured a completely different cast if things had gone as initially planned. In a recent interaction with
ANI
, veteran actor Dharmendra disclosed that the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, who immortalized the role of Jai, was not the first choice for the part. Instead, the role had originally been offered to actor Shatrughan Sinha.
Back in a 2023 interview with
Aaj Tak,
Shatrughan Sinha spoke candidly about turning down not just Sholay but also another iconic film, Deewaar—both of which later went to Bachchan and significantly boosted his stardom. Sinha shared that he had been handed the script for Deewaar and held onto it for nearly six months. Despite the depth and potential of the storyline, unresolved creative differences led him to step away from the project. Likewise, he was approached for Sholay, particularly for the role of Jai, but he faced issues with scheduling and the director's lack of clarity about shoot timelines. At the time, Sinha was managing several film commitments and had no space in his calendar to travel to Bangalore on uncertain terms.
A Career Crossroads
Sinha further reflected that he was deliberately avoiding roles that portrayed him as a villain, which also influenced his decision to turn down the film. His packed shooting schedule meant that even close colleagues like Manoj Kumar—whom he considered a brotherly figure—had to face rejections from him for important roles, including one in the film Shor. Looking back, Sinha acknowledged these decisions as part of human fallibility. While he expressed some regret, he also took solace in the fact that his decisions paved the way for Amitabh Bachchan, whom he considered a friend and an exceptional talent. According to him, by stepping away from those roles, he unknowingly contributed to Bachchan's ascent to superstardom.
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A Recommendation That Changed Cinema
The final push that led to Amitabh Bachchan being cast in Sholay came from Dharmendra himself. Speaking to ANI, the seasoned actor shared that he had personally suggested Bachchan's name to director Ramesh Sippy. Bachchan would often visit Dharmendra on set, and the latter noticed something unique about him—his voice, presence, and inner drive. Convinced of Bachchan's potential, Dharmendra urged Sippy to consider this fresh face for the role of Jai. This recommendation played a vital role in Bachchan's inclusion in what would become a defining film in his career.
The Legacy of Sholay
Released in 1975, Sholay was a daring cinematic experiment. Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by Salim–Javed, the story revolved around two ex-criminals, Jai and Veeru, hired by a retired police officer to take down a menacing bandit, Gabbar Singh. Featuring an ensemble cast that included Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Sanjeev Kumar, the film didn't initially enjoy critical acclaim or box-office success. However, through strong word-of-mouth, it eventually broke all previous records, especially with a five-year continuous run at Mumbai's Minerva Theatre.
Despite its rough start, Sholay transformed into a cultural phenomenon, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film at the time and even enjoying success overseas, especially in the Soviet Union. Over the years, it has secured its place as one of the most
iconic Indian films
ever made, topping British Film Institute's list of the best Indian films in 2002.
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