Filmmaker Rohit Shetty recently shed light on the behind-the-scenes details of the iconic Bollywood movie, Sholay. In a recent interview, Shetty revealed the reasons behind Amitabh Bachchan’s character being chosen to die over Dharmendra, despite Bachchan being the bigger star at the time.
Shetty, who comes from a family deeply entrenched in the Indian film industry, shared that his father, MB Shetty, played a significant role in shaping his early experiences in filmmaking. He highlighted the struggles the film faced during production, including initial criticism and the decision to reshoot certain scenes. Despite these challenges, Shetty pointed out the remarkable performance of Amitabh Bachchan, who infused energy into his supporting role.
Shetty explained, “If you see the film again, you will notice that Amit ji’s character is of a friend. Amit ji didn’t get a song… Amit ji also doesn’t have solo scenes, there is just one with the Mausi. Every scene is with Dharmendra ji. At that time, the lesser hero used to die and Amit ji was the lesser hero in the film than Dharam ji, which is why he died and not Dharam ji. But the film kicked off after four days and it went on for 4.5 years.”
Furthermore, Shetty disclosed the reason behind his father stepping away from the film, citing an ego clash with the director, Ramesh Sippy, who brought in a team from outside India for specific action sequences. Despite the disappointment, MB Shetty went on to have a successful career, acting in over 700 films.
Additionally, Sholay is often regarded as Bollywood’s cult classic and has continued to entertain generations with its well-crafted script, timeless music, and memorable dialogues.
Opinion on the topic:
Rohit Shetty’s revelation about the decision to kill off Amitabh Bachchan’s character instead of Dharmendra in Sholay has sparked discussions among fans and film enthusiasts. Some believe that the choice added depth to the film and ultimately contributed to its lasting impact, while others argue that it could have altered the dynamics of the movie. Nonetheless, Shetty’s insights have offered a unique glimpse into the decision-making process behind one of Bollywood’s most iconic films.