Sholay@50: How Soorma, Jailor, Dhanno became legends

India Today

a day ago

In part 4 of our series celebrating Sholay's 50th anniversary, we spotlight the unforgettable minor characters who, despite brief screen time, became cultural icons.
In the rich history of Indian cinema, certain characters become so iconic that their very names evoke a singular image. Dhanno is forever the faithful mare, Sambha the unforgettable sidekick, and Kaalia the ill-fated dacoit loyal to Gabbar Singh—even though Amitabh Bachchan later portrayed another character with the same name. Such is the enduring magic of Sholay (1975), directed by Ramesh Sippy, a film widely regarded as one of India's greatest. While the main characters like Jai, Veeru, Gabbar Singh, and Thakur dominate the limelight, it is the film's memorable minor characters that have also carved out a timeless place in the hearts of audiences across generations.
Soorma Bhopali, played by Jagdeep, is a loud, boastful timber merchant who loves telling tall tales about his bravery. His funny Bhopali accent and line, ' Hamara naam Soorma Bhopali aise waise hi nahin hai, ' make him unforgettable, even though he's not on screen for long. Soorma brings humour to the serious story, balancing the danger of Gabbar and Thakur's revenge. His character is like the funny storyteller in Indian villages who exaggerates everything. He was so popular that he got his own movie, Soorma Bhopali (1988), which is rare for a small character.
Mausi, played by Leela Mishra, is Basanti's strict but loving aunt. She's the typical Indian auntie—gossipy, caring, and always ready to scold. Her famous lines are funny and warm. Mausi feels like family to audiences because she reminds them of their own aunts. She keeps the story grounded by showing village life and traditional values, making her a character everyone relates to.
Imam Saheb, played by AK Hangal, is the village's blind imam. His sad scene mourning his son's death, with the line ' Itna sannata kyun hai bhai? ' touches everyone's heart. Even with little screen time, his quiet dignity and grief make him unforgettable. He shows how Gabbar's cruelty hurts the village, making Jai and Veeru's fight feel more important. His line is now used everywhere to describe a heavy, sad silence.
Sambha, played by Mac Mohan, is Gabbar's quiet henchman. He says only one line, ' Poore pachaas hazaar, ' from atop a rock, but it's enough to make him a legend. His serious face and loyalty to Gabbar make the villain seem even scarier. Sambha's simple but powerful presence sticks with audiences, and his line is often quoted in jokes and pop culture.
Ahmed, played by Sachin Pilgaonkar, is Imam Saheb's son. His death by Gabbar's gang is a sad moment that pushes the story forward. Though he's in the film briefly, his innocence and sacrifice make audiences care deeply. His death makes Thakur and the heroes more determined, showing how even a small character can change the story.
The Jailor, played by Asrani, is a funny character who acts like Hitler and says, ' Hum Angrezo ke zamane ke jailor hai. ' His silly behaviour in the opening scenes sets up Sholay's mix of action and comedy. He makes audiences laugh with his over-the-top style, poking fun at old colonial times, which people loved.
Dhanno, Basanti's mare, is more than just an animal. She's Basanti's loyal partner, pulling the tonga in exciting chase scenes. Her name and Basanti's calls of ' Chal Dhanno! ' became famous, standing for trust and strength. Dhanno feels almost human, making her a beloved part of the story.
Kaalia, played by Viju Khote, is one of Gabbar's henchmen who appears in two key scenes. He leads a raid on Ramgarh village, taunting Thakur with lines like ' Aao Thakur aao, abhi tak zinda ho, ' but gets beaten by Jai and Veeru. Later, he faces Gabbar's wrath in the iconic scene where Gabbar asks, ' Tera kya hoga Kaalia? ' Kaalia's reply, ' Sardaar, maine aapka namak khaya ,' and Gabbar's chilling ' Ab goli kha! ' made the exchange legendary. Kaalia's brief role shows Gabbar's ruthless nature, and his lines became a pop culture staple, often quoted for their dramatic flair.
Hariram Nai, played by Keshto Mukherjee, is the prison barber and the Jailor's sneaky spy. He eavesdrops on Jai and Veeru's conversations, reporting back to the Jailor to gain favour. His funny, nosy behavior adds humour to the jail scenes, making him a memorable part of Sholay's comedic opening. Hariram's antics, like his sly attempts to please the Jailor, make him a classic sidekick, loved for his quirky charm.
The writers, Salim-Javed, gave each character a special job in the story. Soorma and Hariram add humour, Mausi brings family warmth, Imam Saheb and Ahmed add sadness, Sambha and Kaalia make Gabbar scarier, the Jailor sets the fun tone, and Dhanno adds action and loyalty. Every character, no matter how small, helps make Sholay feel like a big, complete story, like characters in Indian epics.
The actors made these characters come alive. Jagdeep's loud, funny Soorma feels like a real person you'd meet in a village. Leela Mishra's Mausi is every Indian aunt, with her caring but scolding voice. AK Hangal's quiet grief as Imam Saheb breaks hearts. Mac Mohan's serious Sambha needs only one line to shine. Sachin's innocent Ahmed makes his death feel real. Asrani's goofy Jailor is hilarious. Viju Khote's Kaalia is both tough and pitiful, making his scenes with Gabbar unforgettable. Keshto Mukherjee's sneaky Hariram is perfectly funny. Each character feels like someone the audience knows. These characters, with their unforgettable lines and heartfelt moments, have galloped, schemed, and laughed their way into India's soul, much like the dusty trails of Ramgarh. They remind us that in a story as grand as Sholay, every role, no matter how small, can spark a legend that burns bright for generations. You can read Part 3 here : Sholay@50: RD Burman's Beer Bottles and Whistles Crafted an Iconic Score You can read Part 2 here : Sholay@50: The Making of Gabbar, Bollywood's Greatest Villain
You can read Part 1 here : Sholay@50: The film that died at birth to live forever