Dharmendra recommended Amitabh Bachchan to Ramesh Sippy for blockbuster Sholay, Jai’s role was firstly given to superstar…
Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s portrayal of Jai and Veeru in Sholay remains one of cinema’s most iconic depictions of friendship. But before Big B, Shatrughan Sinha was in talks to play Jai in the epic blockbuster directed by Ramesh Sippy.
Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan in Sholay
Released on India’s Independence Day, 15 August 1975, Sholay is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Indian cinema. Directed by Ramesh Sippy, the film blends elements of Western, adventure and emotional storytelling in a gripping narrative set in the fictional village of Ramgarh. It follows two ex-cons Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra), who are hired by a retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) to capture the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan).
Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s portrayal of Jai and Veeru in Sholay remains one of cinema’s most iconic depictions of friendship and continues to serve as a timeless reference point in today’s pop culture. The song Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge, sung by Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey, composed by RD Burman and written by Anand Bakshi, became Bollywood’s friendship anthem after its release. Interestingly, the first choice to play Jai in Sholay was not Amitabh but Shatrughan Sinha. It was Dharmendra who suggested Big B’s name to Ramesh Sippy.
Talking about the same, the Johnny Gaddaar actor had once said in the famous talk show Aap Ki Adaalat, “Main yeh kisi ko nahi bolta. Lekin ab Amitabh khud bolne lage hai. Woh role Shatru (Shatrughan Sinha) ko jaa raha tha. Shatru ko pata chala toh usne kaha, paaji kyun mera role de diya. Maine kaha yaar tujhe samajh nahi aata Woh naya aaya tha toh maine socha usko milna chahiye.”
Sholay also starred Jaya Bachchan and Hema Malini in lead roles, with a solid cast comprising AK Hangal, Satyen Kappu, Iftekhar, Mac Mohan, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Jagdeep, Helen and Keshto Mukherjee. The Ramesh Sippy directorial is one of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Indian cinema. On its 50th anniversary earlier this year, the restored uncut version of the film was screened in several cinemas in India following its world premiere at the Cinema Reinvented Festival in Italy.
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