Salman Khan says he wants to remake Sholay: ‘I can play both Jai and Veeru…even Gabbar’

When Farah asked Salman, “If you had to remake any of Salim-Javed’s film?” Salman responded, “I’d make Sholay and Deewar.” Reacting to his answer, Farah further asked: “You’d be Jai or Veeru? The speakers at the round table — Zoya Akhtar, Namrata Rao and others unanimously said, “He is Veeru,” and Javed agreed. But Salman quipped, “Also Jai, I can play both. Gabbar also.”

Salim Khan then revealed how all the male stars in Sholay wanted to play Gabbar’s role. Sholay, initially starred Danny Denzongpa as Gabbar, but later on Amjad Khan was brought in to play the antagonist.

Salim said, “Everybody in the film’s star cast, all of them had gone to Ramesh Sippy personally to tell him, ‘Main yeh role karunga (I want to do this role).’ Javed added, “Both Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh wanted to do it too. Amitabh said, ‘Aap yeh role mujhe de dijiye (You give me the role).’ Dharam ji was happy playing Veeru.”

Sholay released in cinemas on August 15, 1975. The film is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential Indian films of all time.