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News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Don't Cast Amitabh Bachchan': Sholay Director Was WARNED Of Big B's Flops At Seeta Aur Geeta Jubilee Bash
As Sholay marks 50 years, Ramesh Sippy reflects on casting Amitabh Bachchan, whose performance became a key part of the film's legendary success. This month marks 50 years since the release of Sholay, the 1975 film that became a milestone in Hindi cinema. While the movie is celebrated for its action, unforgettable dialogues, and iconic characters, one cannot overlook Amitabh Bachchan, who played the calm and composed Jai in the legendary Jai-Veeru duo. Before Sholay, Bachchan had yet to make a mark at the box office. Many industry insiders even warned director Ramesh Sippy against casting him. 'When we were celebrating the jubilee of Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) with a party at home, a lot of people came there. They were whispering and advising me not to take him because he had a row of flops before that. They said, 'Don't make that mistake, young man! Don't do it,'" Sippy recalled. Despite the warnings, Sippy felt Amitabh was the right choice. 'There was something about him that he felt right. There were a couple of good films in those that didn't work. In Anand (1971), Rajesh Khanna's role was far more expressive, and he (Bachchan) was the quiet man. But I don't think it would've worked if either of them hadn't worked. It's because he worked as the silent man that the other character got to take off," said Sippy. Sippy also praised Amitabh's versatility. Recalling Bombay To Goa (1972), he said, 'Being such a huge guy, you could still see how his body movement was so free. He was so overpowering you might not remember the song, but you remember him because of the way he moved around, there was no awkwardness. There should've been because he could feel it. But he had to blend himself, look right, and have the rhythm while singing away." Javed Akhtar also noticed Amitabh's talent during his comic action sequences. 'So when I saw these two contrasting characters and films, I felt here's a person who has the potential. Now, I already had so many accomplished stars… So let me take a chance with one, and it paid off," Sippy added. By the time Sholay released, Amitabh had already found commercial success with hits like Zanjeer (1973) and Deewaar (1975). Yet his understated performance as Jai proved that subtlety could shine, leaving an indelible mark on Hindi cinema history. Sholay (1975) tells the story of two friends, Jai and Veeru, who are hired by a retired police officer, Thakur Baldev Singh, to catch the feared bandit Gabbar Singh. Set in the village of Ramgarh, the film mixes action, drama, and comedy, and its characters, dialogues, and songs have made it a timeless classic in Hindi cinema. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Don't cast flop Amitabh Bachchan': Ramesh Sippy was warned against taking Big B in Sholay, here's why he decided to ‘bet on a newcomer'
As Ramesh Sippy's 1975 historic blockbuster Sholay completes 50 years since its release this month, one can't imagine the film without any of its cast members, including Amitabh Bachchan who played Jai, the more restrained of the leading duo Jai-Veeru. It's a little known fact that Bachchan hadn't tasted any box office success till he was cast in the film. Which is why several biggies of the Hindi film industry even warned Sippy against casting him. 'When we were celebrating the jubilee of Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) with a party at home, a lot of people came there. They were whispering and advising me not to take him because he had a row of flops before that. They said, 'Don't make that mistake, young man! Don't do it,'' recalled Sippy. He claimed they were 'supposed to be the most knowledgeable' as far as the business and box office were concerned. 'There was something about him that he felt right. There were a couple of good films in those that didn't work. In Anand (1971), Rajesh Khanna's role was far more expressive, and he (Bachchan) was the quiet man. But I don't think it would've worked if either of them hadn't worked. It's because he worked as the silent man that the other character got to take off,' argued Sippy, in the interview with Zoom. Sippy lauded Bachchan's versatility and pointed out 'he did right whatever he was asked to do,' as per the requirement of the film. 'There was another film in that period, Bombay To Goa (1972), in which he sang a song inside a bus which was so brilliant! Being such a huge guy, you could still see how his body movement was so free. He was so overpowering you might not remember the song, but you remember him because the way he moved around, there was no awkwardness. There should've been because he could feel it. But he had to blend himself, look right, and have the rhythm while singing away,' recalled Sippy. As shown in the Prime Video India docuseries Angry Young Men last year, Javed Akhtar had also spotted Bachchan after an impressive comic action sequence in Bombay to Goa. 'So when I saw these two contrasting characters and films, I felt here's a person who has the potential. Now, I already had so many accomplished stars, like Dharmendra ji (as Jai), Sanjeev Kumar (as Thakur), Hema Malini (as Basanti), and Jaya Bhaduri (as Radha). So let me take a chance with one, and it paid off,' added Sippy. Also Read — Exclusive | Dharmendra says Sholay is not his all-time favourite, chooses this lesser-known movie By the time Sholay released, Bachchan had also become a commercially successful star having delivered hits like Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer (1973) and Yash Chopra's Deewaar (1975), both written by Salim-Javed. They reintroduced him as the Angry Young Man, although his part in Sholay was a slight departure.
Indian Express
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
This actor, born in Egypt, played the same villainous character in 2 Amitabh Bachchan films; his son was the first choice for Maine Pyar Kiya
A lot of actors, who have been in multiple blockbusters over the years, have gone unnoticed because they could never secure enough lead parts to register their presence in movies. One such actor, best known for playing the villain's henchman in a number of films in the 1970s and the early 1980s, could never even become the chief antagonist in a film till his early death in 1985. Yusuf Khan aka Yusuf Abusher was born in Egypt in 1940, but he soon relocated to Mumbai in order to become an actor. He shouldn't be confused with the late legendary actor Dilip Kumar, whose real name was Yusuf Khan. Unlike his namesake, however, Yusuf could never achieve even a fraction of his popularity and success, even after temporarily changing his name. Yusuf Khan made his debut as a lead actor in the film General Ki Hasina in 1969. But the movie bombed at the box office, also making it the last film he appeared in as the lead. After changing his name, Yusuf appeared in multiple Hindi and regional films like Kaalam Vellum (1970). For instance, he essayed a wrestler travelling to Goa and a fellow bus passenger of the lead actor, Amitabh Bachchan's character, in S Ramanathan's 1972 road comedy Bombay To Goa. After Amitabh Bachchan was catapulted to superstardom as the 'Angry Young Man' with Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer (1973), Yusuf appeared in many of his films as a supporting villain. These included Parvarish (1977), Don (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Khud-Daar (1982), and Nastik (1982). His most notable role was Zebisko, the evil bodyguard of Parveen Babi's character, in Manmohan Desai's 1977 blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony. Yusuf became synonymous with Zebisko after that film, so much so that he even reprised that role in another Amitabh Bachchan-Manmohan Desai film, Naseeb, in 1981. He was supposed to play Zebisko yet again in another film of the same director-actor combo, Mard (1985), but he died of a brain haemorrhage at 45 while shooting in Hyderabad the same year. While Yusuf died before he could play the lead role again, his son Faraaz Khan turned out to be luckier. His film journey didn't start off well as he was diagnosed with jaundice right before he was scheduled to start filming for his grand debut, Sooraj Barjatya's 1989 hit directorial debut Maine Pyar Kiya. He was consequently replaced by Salman Khan, who broke through in Bollywood with that cult romantic drama. Also Read: National Award-winning costume designer acted opposite Rajesh Khanna, designed Sridevi's outfits, died of cancer 10 years before son's debut Faraaz eventually made his debut with Vikram Bhatt's 1996 psychological thriller Fareb. He also played the lead role in Mehndi (1998) opposite Rani Mukerji. However, his last film was the 2005 thriller, Chand Bujh Gaya. His last appearance on the small screen was the 2008 supernatural show Neeli Aankhen on Sahara One. Like his father, Faraaz died an early death in 2020 when he was just 50.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aruna Irani reveals she was diagnosed with breast cancer twice; she secretly battled it and is now fine: 'Meri hi galti thi, I didn't take chemotherapy'
Aruna Irani looks quite fit even as she nears 80 years of age and continues to work till date. The actress known doing over 500 movies and so many TV shows has recently revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, not once for twice. Irani known for movies like 'Bombay To Goa', 'Caravan' and many others said that she also got diabetes at the age of 60 and there was another health scare where she was told both her kidneys have failed. Talking about battling cancer, Irani said during a chat with Lehren, with Bharati S Pradhan, "Aise hi ek din shooting kar rahi thi, pata nahi mujhe kaise pata laga par maine bola 'Mujhe kuch lag raha hai'' (One day while shooting, I don't know how, but I felt something and said, 'I feel something's not right'). She then consulted a doctor who initially dismissed it as a small lump. But she didn't want to take any risks so, she insisted on removing it right away. The doctors then, suggested her a chemo therapy but she opted out of it as she feared losing her hair and changes in her skin texture. Aruna said, "Then the doctor said you will have to take a pill and I chose that as I was working. How would I shoot if I lose my hair." However, her cancer relapsed again just before Covid, in March 2020. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Meri hi galti thi, as pehle maine chemotherapy nahi lee thi. This time around I took it," said the actress. Irani said that by 2020, chemo therapy was better and the medical science was more advanced. "Still you lose a bit of your hair but woh jaldi aa bhi jaate hai (You regain your hair soon)." The actress said she's now fine today. She also added there was another healthscare where she was taken to the hospital and the doctors told her that both her kidneys have failed. She didn't undergo any procedure but she is quite fit and fine today.
