This 10 minute sequence of Sholay took over 20 days to film, transformed Mumbai into a battleground, it was…

India.com

2 days ago

This 10 minute sequence of Sholay took over 20 days to film, transformed Mumbai into a battleground, it was…
In the ever-evolving world of cinema, many films come and go, while some make noise for weeks, and others fade as quickly as they appear. But every once in a while comes a rare gem that is not just a film but a phenomenon. One such similar tale is of a film that was released 50 years ago but resonates even today. Initially, this film was a gamble for its makers; it did not capture the response it was expected to. However slowly, it grew on the audience and redefined Indian cinema. From an Almost Flop to a Massive Hit
The film that we are talking about is none other than Sholay. Released on 15 August 1975, this blockbuster was once almost considered a flop; even the audience raised eyebrows at the climax, where Amitabh Bachchan's character Jai meets a tragic end. However, what happened later was something that nobody predicted. It became the crown jewel of Indian cinema. The Legendary Train Sequence
This action-packed film with a gripping storyline had everyone glued, but amongst the many scenes, one scene that stands tall is the legendary train action sequence. While in the film, this scene just lasted for 10 minutes, it took over 20 days to shoot. For this particular scene, the Mumbai–Pune railway route near Panvel transformed into a battleground between lawmen and dacoits.
In the scene, dacoits attack a moving train guarded by police officer Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar). As his forces are overpowered, Thakur makes a bold decision: he unlocks the handcuffs of Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra), asking for their help in fighting back. Later, we witness magic like never before. There is tense action, stunts, and dialogue that still resonate with the audience today.
In the film, an immortal scene happens where Thakur asks Veeru about how long he's been in the business, and he replies, 'Bas yu samajhiye Thakur sahab, ki hosh sambhalte hi apne pairon par khade ho gaye the.' And when asked why they do it, his blunt answer hits hard: 'Jis liye aap police ki naukri karte hain, wahi.'
Even today, this dialogue creates an unmatched impact. This film, which was almost considered a flop, slowly turned out to be a massive hit, becoming a cultural phenomenon. From the Amitabh-Dharmendra pairing and Salim-Javed's sharp writing to Gabbar Singh's dialogues and Thakur's unshakable resolve, every frame of Sholay captured hearts.
Fifty years later, that train sequence still touches a chord with the audience.