Journalism of Courage
Ramesh Sippy’s action flick, ‘Sholay’ starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan) and late actor Amjad Khan completes 40 years on August 15.
Here are some of the unseen pics from the sets of Bollywood's cult classic.
Seen here are director Ramesh Sippy, Shatrughan Sinha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan at function for ‘Sholay’.
When ‘Sholay’ was first released it didn’t fare too well and only picked up business after it was withdrawn and re-released.
It has been said that Dharmendra had in fact had his heart set on playing Thakur Baldev Singh but changed his mind when Ramesh Sippy informed him that Sanjeev Kumar would play Veeru. Since Dharemdra was in love with Hema Malini, he agreed.
Before the shoot of the film, Sanjeev Kumar had proposed marriage to Hema Malini.
Amjad Khan was almost dropped from 'Sholay' as Javed Akhtar felt that his voice was too weak to play Gabbar Singh. But Amjad Khan made Gabbar memorable by mouthing dialogues like 'Kitne aadmi they?, 'Pachas pachas kos door jab bachcha rota hai toh maa kehti hai beta so ja warna Gabbar aa jayega.' These lines are still etched in the minds of people.
Writer Javed Akhtar had suggested Amjad Khan’s name after spotting him in the play, ‘Ai Mere Watan Ke Logon’.
Salim Khan recommended Amitabh Bachchan for the character of Jai. Seen here, the actor looks al spruced up at the premiere of ‘Sholay’ along with his mother teji Bachchan and Vidhya Charan Shukla.
‘Sholay’ took almost two-and-half years to complete.
,br> A group picture at the ‘Sholay’ function – 3rd from left – Asrani, Satyen Kapu, Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, AK Hangal, Mac Mohan, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Jagdeep at the function.
'Sholay' was made on a budget of close to Rs. 3 crore. A younger Amitabh Bachchan along with director Ramesh Sippy.
On the Diamond jubilee of ‘Sholay’, producer GP Sippy presented all the leading stars with gold bracelets.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini in a still from ‘Sholay’. While Hema Malini played the role of Basanti, Dharmendra was Veeru.
The 'Sholay' stars – Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendram, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan.
Filmmaker FC Mehra and Rajkumar photographed talking at the premiere of ‘Sholay’ in 1975.
