Sholay remains one of the cult classic films in Hindi cinema. The film became iconic because of its stellar star cast, gripping performances and the mighty villain Gabbar Singh. Actor Amjad Khan portrayed the role of the iconic villain. However, the role was first offered to Danny Denzongpa and Ranjeet, both of whom rejected the role. In a recent interview, Ranjeet recalled the real reason behind rejecting Sholay.
Ranjeet told Smita Prakash, “I left Sholay, they came to me in Bangalore. The truth is, Danny ko offer kiya tha aur ek paper aata tha, The Screen, full page pe uski photo aayi thi aur Dharam ji Sholay jo hai. Toh he got stuck in Dharamatma in Afghanistan. Feroz Khan bola, ‘Yaar, udhar 3 hero hai.’ Kisi ko maalum thode na tha ki Gabbar Singh ka role kya banega? No one knew."
“Feroz convinced Danny ki ‘Main tereko Hema Malini ke saath gaana de raha hoon. Chod na yaar, udhar kya karega?’ Danny bhi socha ki baat toh theek hi hai. Toh unka entire unit had come to Bangalore and he was stuck in Afghanistan. The communication was very bad," he added.
Ranjeet said, “After finishing my schedule in Dharmatma, I came back earlier. I was shooting in Bangalore. Inka set bhi Bangalore main tha, we were living in the same hotel. I was shooting in the Mysore Palace and they came to me ki ‘Danny saab toh aa nahi rahe hain. Humara unit aa gaya hai, schedule khatam karna hai, bohot kharcha hai.’ Toh maine bola, ‘Toh?'"
Ranjeet said that Danny is a very good friend of his and till today, he is among his top friends. Ranjeet continued, “Maine bola I will not do it. Either you get a Letter of No Objection from him or you talk to him and if he says tum karlo… I knew why wasn’t coming. Toh I refused."
Sholay starred Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Amjad Khan. It is one of the most talked about films in their careers.
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