"Sholay," the 1975 classic that continues to resonate with audiences, nearly had a completely different cast, revealing intriguing behind-the-scenes stories about the film's casting choices. While Amitabh Bachchan immortalized the role of Jai, he was not the first choice. Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha was initially offered the role but declined due to scheduling conflicts and creative differences.
Sinha spoke about turning down "Sholay" and "Deewaar" in a 2023 interview with Aaj Tak, both of which significantly boosted Bachchan's stardom. Sinha said he had the script for "Deewaar" for about six months. Despite the storyline's depth, creative differences led him to step away from the project. He was also approached for "Sholay," specifically for the role of Jai, but scheduling issues and the director's lack of clarity about shoot timelines posed challenges. Sinha had many film commitments and couldn't travel to Bangalore on uncertain terms.
Sinha avoided roles portraying him as a villain, influencing his decision to decline the film. His busy schedule meant he had to decline roles from close colleagues, including Manoj Kumar. Sinha acknowledged these decisions as part of human fallibility, expressing some regret but finding solace in the fact that his decisions paved the way for Amitabh Bachchan, whom he considered a friend and an exceptional talent. He believes that by stepping away from those roles, he unknowingly contributed to Bachchan's rise to superstardom.
Dharmendra played a crucial role in Amitabh Bachchan's casting in "Sholay". Dharmendra noticed something unique about Bachchan – his voice, presence, and inner drive. Convinced of Bachchan's potential, Dharmendra urged director Ramesh Sippy to consider him for the role of Jai. This recommendation was vital in Bachchan's inclusion in a defining film in his career.
Dharmendra was originally offered the role of Thakur and even Gabbar Singh. However, he wanted to play Veeru. Dharmendra learned that by playing Thakur, Sanjeev Kumar would be paired with Hema Malini. Not wanting Hema Malini to be opposite Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra changed his mind and accepted the role of Veeru.
Ramesh Sippy wrote that Dharmendra was multifaceted, and his choice was a toss-up between Gabbar Singh and Thakur. Sippy convinced him to play Veeru, saying if he played Thakur or Gabbar, he wouldn't get Hema Malini, which made Dharmendra agree to play Veeru.
Sippy felt Dharmendra's natural energy made him a perfect fit for the role, and the contrast of Amitabh Bachchan's character being more subdued worked out very well for the film. The director told NDTV that Dharmendra's character was more outgoing, and Amitabh Bachchan was more subdued and inward, which showed very nicely with both of them.
"Sholay" had a slow start but became a cultural phenomenon and one of Indian cinema's most iconic films. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Dharmendra, and Hema Malini.
