“Sholay” is a classic Bollywood film – one of the top 100 films of Bollywood to watch – that has left a lasting impact on Indian cinema. While many facts about the movie are well-known, here are five unknown facts about sholay:
1. James Bond Connection:
The character of Gabbar Singh, played by Amjad Khan, drew inspiration from the iconic James Bond villain, Auric Goldfinger. Ramesh Sippy, the director of “Sholay,” was a fan of James Bond films, and he wanted Gabbar Singh to have a similar impact. The name “Gabbar” itself is derived from a village near Ramesh Sippy’s residence.
2. Role Reversal:
Originally, Dharmendra was offered the role of Thakur Baldev Singh, essayed by Sanjeev Kumar. However, Dharmendra insisted on playing the role of Veeru, which eventually became one of the most memorable characters in the film. The decision turned out to be a wise one, as both Sanjeev Kumar and Dharmendra delivered stellar performances in their respective roles.
3. Unique Poster Design:
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The iconic poster of “Sholay” featuring the cast in an action-packed pose was created by artist M.F. Husain. What makes it unique is that it is one of the first instances in Indian cinema where a renowned painter was involved in designing a movie poster.
4. Sholay’s Village Ramgarh:
Village Ramgarh shown in the movie Sholay was specially built from ground up in the outskirts of Bengalore to shoot the movie. A special road was also built to connect the village to the highway for easy access and equipment trasnportation.
5. Lost and Found Treasure:
The original negatives of “Sholay” were considered lost for several years. In 2014, it was reported that a box containing the missing original negatives was found in the basement of Ramesh Sippy’s office. The discovery was a significant one, as it allowed for the restoration and preservation of the film’s original quality.