On November 28 in Mumbai, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy unveiled the hidden stories that still make Sholay a timeless legend during an IFFI event. He opened with the line, “The best way to begin is with that iconic song, ‘Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge, todenge dum agar, tera saath na chhodenge.’ It’s a wonderful song written by Anand Bakshi and set to music by R.D. Burman.” Sippy then praised the crew’s collective effort, saying that every technician, musician and crew member is vital to a film’s success and that “no film can be made without teamwork.” He went on to explain the need for a strong leader and the key people who support him—writers, cameramen, music teams—highlighting how R.D. Burman delivered a memorable score.
In his remarks, Sippy noted that the first frame of the film immediately immerses the audience in the vast Indian landscape and sets the tone for the experience. He recalled that Sholay was the first Indian movie to bring an overseas fight team from the UK, giving the action a new scale and dimension. The session, titled “50 years of Sholay: Why Sholay still resonates,” allowed Sippy to reveal additional little‑known anecdotes. He spoke of the late supervillain Amjad Khan, saying “Amjad Khan himself was a discovery.” He remembered spotting him in a South‑Africa play performed with his sister and being impressed by his acting, but the real breakthrough came when “Salim–Javed suggested we look at him.” Amjad was cast for the role of Gabbar only after Danny Denzongpa, who had originally signed on, was unavailable due to shooting commitments in Afghanistan. Sippy added that “the language or accent was never a problem for Gabbar,” and that Amjad’s UP‑style accent worked perfectly on screen.
Concluding, the filmmaker echoed the impact of fate, stating, “Danny’s absence gave birth to Amjad Khan as Gabbar, and the rest is history.” He also noted that Sholay, released in 1975, is now celebrated as one of Bollywood’s greatest films. Though it was initially a commercial disappointment, its unforgettable songs and characters—Jay, Veeru, Basanti, Thakur, and Gabbar—continue to resonate with audiences even after five decades.
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