• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Sholay, released in 1975, quickly became a cult classic, cherished by fans for its dramatic scenes, memorable dialogues and compelling storyline. The movie featured Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in the lead roles and was a significant box office success. Interestingly, Dharmendra recently revealed that Amitabh Bachchan was not the initial choice for the movie. Furthermore, a report also suggests that Amitabh Bachchan was not the highest-paid actor in the movie. Given the enduring fame and praise Sholay continues to receive, can you guess how much the star-studded cast must be paid and who was Big B’s replacement in Sippy’s movie?

Dharmendra, who played the character of Veeru, according to a report in India.Com, was the highest paid actor has he recieved Rs 1,50,000, while Amitabh Bachchan, who played Jai, had received only Rs 1 lakh. Sanjeev Kumar, who portrayed Thakur Baldev Singh, received Rs 1,25,000. The iconic Gabbar, played by Amjad Khan, was reportedly given Rs 50,000. While Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan were paid Rs 75,000 and Rs 35,000, respectively.

Dharmendra, in a recent interview with ANI, spoke about the 1975 movie and revealed that not Amitabh Bachchan, but Shatrughan Sinha, was the first choice for the role of Jai. “It has already been mentioned. Yes, I recommended him. Mai to kehta nahi maine unko (Amitabh Bachchan) role dilaya. Ye mujhe milne aate the Amitabh sahab. He used to sit next to me. To maine Ramesh Sippy ji ko kaha yeh naya ladka hai usko awaaz se to lagta hai bahut acha kaam karega. Unki jo andar se chahna thi. Jo khud se pyar karne ki khoobsurati thi vo achi lagi..maine kaha inko lelo," the 89-year-old stated.

Now marking its 50th anniversary Sholay is set to premiere globally on June 27 at Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival, which will be held in Bologna, Italy. This marks a joint project between Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd., aiming to present Sholay in its original, uncut form, just as it was initially intended.

ALSO READ: Kaalidhar Laapata: Amitabh Bachchan Admires Son Abhishek Bachchan For Choosing Diverse Roles In A Heartfelt Post

About Sholay Movie

Helmed by the legendary duo Salim-Javed, Sholay is a masterful blend of action, thriller, revenge drama, comedy and tragedy. The movie’s iconic music is scored by R D Burman, and it also featured Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan and Hema Malini, among others, in supporting roles. The 1975 film drew inspiration from Western classics including Sergio Leone’s ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’, Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai’, and John Sturges’ ‘The Magnificent Seven’.

ALSO READ: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra Starrer Sholay Movie’s Restored Uncut Version To Premiere At Bologna Festival

On the work front, Dharmendra was last seen in 2023’s movie Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where his kissing scene in the movie with Shabana garnered buzz among fans. The movie also featured Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan recently shared the screen with Prabhas and Deepika Padukone in Kalki 2898 AD. The 82-year-old has given major hits in his illustrious Bollywood career, like Don, Mohabbatein, Deewar, Coolie 1983, Pink, and Piku, among many others. 

Also In News