"Sholay," the 1975 Indian epic action-adventure film directed by Ramesh Sippy, remains a cinematic touchstone, celebrated for its iconic characters, memorable dialogues, and unforgettable scenes. While the film's success is attributed to the collective efforts of the cast and crew, a recent revelation by veteran actor Dharmendra sheds light on a pivotal behind-the-scenes decision that significantly shaped the film's destiny: his recommendation of Amitabh Bachchan for the role of Jai.
Dharmendra, who portrayed Veeru, one of the two leads in "Sholay," disclosed that he played a key role in casting Amitabh Bachchan, then a rising actor, for the role of Jai. In a conversation, Dharmendra revealed that he suggested Bachchan's name to director Ramesh Sippy, firmly believing that the actor possessed a unique quality that would greatly benefit the film.
According to Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan used to visit him on set. Impressed by Bachchan's voice and sincerity, Dharmendra advocated for him to Ramesh Sippy, saying, "There's this new boy, his voice is impressive, and there's a rare sincerity in him. Take him".
Interestingly, Shatrughan Sinha was initially considered for the role of Jai. However, Dharmendra's persuasion led to a change in casting, a decision that would ultimately alter the course of Hindi cinema.
Released on August 15, 1975, "Sholay" initially received mixed reviews but soon gained momentum through positive word-of-mouth, achieving unparalleled box office success. The film broke records for continuous screenings in numerous theaters across India and enjoyed a remarkable five-year run at Mumbai's Minerva theatre.
The film, set in the fictional village of Ramgarh, revolves around two small-time criminals, Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra), who are hired by a retired police officer, Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), to capture the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri also starred in the film as Basanti and Radha, the love interests of Veeru and Jai, respectively.
Dharmendra's career began in 1960 with "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere," and he quickly ascended to stardom with hits like "Ayee Milan Ki Bela" and "Phool Aur Patthar". His filmography includes a diverse range of roles in action films like "Ankhen" and nuanced performances in films like "Satyakam".
Dharmendra is preparing for his next release, "Ikkis," directed by Sriram Raghavan, which is set to release on October 2. He will also reunite with Arbaaz Khan in "Maine Pyaar Kiya Phir Se," with shooting scheduled to commence soon and a theatrical release planned for November 2025.
The camaraderie between Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra extended beyond their on-screen roles as Jai and Veeru. Their friendship began when a young Amitabh was struggling to find his footing in the film industry. Dharmendra recognized Bachchan's potential and recommended him for "Zanjeer," a film that catapulted him to stardom as the 'Angry Young Man'. Their natural chemistry was evident in subsequent collaborations, including "Chupke Chupke," "Ram Balram," and "Hum Kaun Hai?".
