Latest news with #GPSippy
India.com
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
A homeless director saved Amitabh Bachchan's career, once sold carpets on the road, his name is...
The story of Hindi cinema is full of legendary actors, iconic songs and some memorable dialogues. But behind this glittering screen, there are some names whose contribution often goes unnoticed. One such name is Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy, popularly known as GP Sippy. GP Sippy produced Sholay. The film that redefined filmmaking and gave a new life to Amitabh Bachchan's faltering career. More than just a blockbuster maker, Sippy's journey tells the story of resilience, reinvention and a stroke of cinematic genius that brought to life the story of a dusty, dacoit-ridden village called Ramgarh. Where did GP Sippy come from? Sippy was born into a wealthy business family in pre-Partition Karachi. He lived his early life in luxury. His family owned a palatial bungalow and many business properties. But the Partition of 1947 took it all away overnight. Forced to leave everything behind, Sippy fled to Mumbai. In Mumbai, he lived as a refugee and not as a nobleman because he had left everything behind. Sippy did many businesses, but did not work With survival now the only goal, Sippy tried his hand at several businesses. According to a New York Times report, he sold carpets and even opened a small restaurant in Mumbai. Nothing lasted. His luck changed when he came across an unfinished building in Colaba. He bought it, sold it at a profit and began a new career in real estate. The first film was a failure After making some money from property, GP Sippy turned to cinema, a world that attracted many in the newly independent country. In 1953, he made his first film, Saza. The film did not bring him fame, but it marked the beginning of a long and consistent filmography. For years, Sippy was known as a B-grade producer who occasionally tried his hand at directing and acting, but he never found lasting success. Cast of Sholay Sholay was made with a star cast like Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan. People were shocked to see Amjad Khan as Gabbar. With a budget of Rs 3 crore, it was the most expensive Hindi film ever made at that time. Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the famous duo Salim-Javed, Sholay broke records. It ran in theatres for five consecutive years and broke many records.
India.com
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actor lost everything, sold carpets to survive, then made Amitabh Bachchan's biggest blockbuster, movie was..., his name is...
Over a century ago, Indian cinema began to find its voice, but it was after independence in the 1940s that it truly flourished. Many artists had just migrated to Bombay after Partition, carrying little more than dreams. Among them was GP Sippy, who once lived in a grand Karachi mansion but lost it all overnight when his family fled to Bombay. How did he survive after partition? Life was brutal at first. GP Sippy was homeless and struggling to feed his family. As per The New York Times, he sold carpets on the streets and later tried running a restaurant, but neither brought success. One day, he noticed an unfinished house in Colaba. He decided to buy it and complete the project. That single decision marked the beginning of his construction empire. When did cinema enter his life? Once his business was stable, a friend suggested he try investing in films. Curious, Sippy leapt and produced his first film, Sazaa, in 1953. Though the movie didn't turn him into a big name, it set him on a new path. He tried acting and directing, but earned the tag of a 'B-grade producer.' Success seemed distant until his son stepped in. What role did Ramesh Sippy play? Ramesh Sippy, who was then studying at the London School of Economics, returned and took charge of the business. Under him, GP Sippy's company produced films like Andaz and Seeta Aur Geeta. But nothing prepared them for what came next. How did Sholay change everything? In 1975, Sholay was released with a staggering budget of Rs 3 crore, an unimaginable figure for that era. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan, the film became a cultural storm. Sholay ran in cinemas for five years, rewriting box-office history and cementing GP Sippy's legacy forever. What did his journey symbolise? From a refugee sleeping on Bombay streets to producing India's most celebrated film, GP Sippy's story was one of grit and vision. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 93, leaving behind not just Sholay, but a tale of survival that remains as powerful as the movie itself.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Once Homeless, This Man Saved Amitabh Bachchan's Career With Bollywood's Biggest Film
Last Updated: With a sprawling cast including Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan and Amjad Khan, 'Sholay' was a risk few producers would dare take The story of Hindi cinema is rich with legendary actors, iconic songs, and unforgettable dialogues. But behind the glittering screen, there are some names whose contributions often go unnoticed. One such name is Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy, better known as GP Sippy, the man who produced Sholay, the film that redefined filmmaking and revived Amitabh Bachchan's faltering career. More than just a blockbuster producer, Sippy's journey is a tale of resilience, reinvention, and a stroke of cinematic genius that came in the form of a dusty, dacoit-filled village called Ramgarh. Born into a wealthy business family in pre-Partition Karachi, GP Sippy's early life was defined by luxury. His family owned expansive properties, including a lavish bungalow and thriving enterprises. But the 1947 Partition would snatch all of it away overnight. Forced to leave everything behind, the Sippys fled to Bombay (now Mumbai), where they arrived not as aristocrats, but as refugees, stripped of their wealth, status, and security. With survival now the only goal, Sippy tried his hand at several trades. According to a New York Times report, he sold carpets and even opened a small restaurant in Mumbai. Nothing stuck. It wasn't until he stumbled upon an unfinished building in Colaba that fortune began to turn. He purchased it, sold it for a profit, and found a new calling in real estate. Having made some money in property, GP Sippy turned his eyes to cinema, a world that fascinated many in the newly independent nation. In 1953, he produced his first film, Saza. The film didn't catapult him to fame, but it marked the beginning of a long and persistent filmography. For years, Sippy was known largely as a B-grade producer who occasionally dabbled in direction and acting, but never found lasting success. That would begin to change when he called his son, Ramesh Sippy, back to India from the London School of Economics. Under his father's banner, Ramesh made films like Andaz and Seeta Aur Geeta – successful, yes, but still not historic. Sholay: The Game-Changer Then came 1975. With a sprawling cast including Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and the unforgettable debut of Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh, Sholay was a risk few producers would dare take. With a budget of Rs 3 crore, it was the most expensive Hindi film ever at that time. Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the celebrated duo Salim-Javed, Sholay smashed records. It ran in theatres for five straight years and rewrote the rules of Indian cinema. From its cinematography to its character arcs, Sholay brought together Western influences, traditional storytelling, and larger-than-life action like never before. When the film finally ended its legendary run at Mumbai's Minerva theatre, it was replaced by none other than GP Sippy's next venture, Shaan. GP Sippy's Legacy GP Sippy continued to produce films throughout the 80s and 90s, backing titles like Saagar, Patthar Ke Phool, and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. Though none matched the cultural earthquake of Sholay, they were all reminders of a producer who dared to dream big. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 93, but his legacy lives on, not just in the form of a film, but in a moment of cinematic history that has never been duplicated. 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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From carpet seller to cinematic icon; GP Sippy's journey from partition survivor to 'Sholay' producer
Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy, better known as GP Sippy, wasn't always a Bollywood name. Born into affluence in Karachi, the Partition of 1947 abruptly changed everything. Forced from his roots, GP Sippy rebuilt his life in Bombay Fleeing overnight with his family, Sippy arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai) with almost nothing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although he was once a man surrounded by wealth, he now had to grapple with survival in a new city. From opening a modest restaurant to selling carpets, he explored every possible avenue to get by. Eventually, he found steady work in construction by helping build some of Bombay's earliest apartment buildings. Interestingly one of which happened to be for actress Nargis Dutt. How construction led to cinema and a lifelong passion It was during the Nargis Dutt project that GP Sippy's interest in films took root. Fascinated by the world of cinema, he tried his hand at acting and eventually turned to production. His first film as a producer was 'Sazaa' in 1953. While the film didn't become a blockbuster, it ignited a love for filmmaking that would span decades. Over time, Sippy produced multiple films. Sadly his work was often dismissed as B-grade. Refusing to give up, he brought his son, , home from the London School of Economics to breathe new life into their production house. The Game-Changer: ' Sholay ' and a new legacy Everything changed in 1975 with 'Sholay'. Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the legendary Salim, Javed, 'Sholay' became a defining moment in Indian cinema. GP Sippy, the man once homeless after Partition, had now produced one of the most iconic films in the country's history. The iconic film featured a powerhouse cast including , Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, , and Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh. GP Sippy passed away in 2007. Amitabh Bachchan Posts Preserved ₹20 Sholay Ticket; Fans Shower Love
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sholay filmmaker was once homeless, sold carpets to survive and fell in love with movies while constructing house of an actress
Synopsis Meet GP Sippy, the legendary producer of Sholay, who faced displacement during the Partition. Although he passed away in 2007, his journey in Bombay remains iconic and unforgettable. From being homeless to trying his hand at various businesses, his growing interest in cinema eventually led him to produce his first film, Sazaa. The turning point came with Sholay, directed by his son Ramesh Sippy, which went on to become a cultural phenomenon. Read on to know more about the life of GP Sippy. This 1975 Indian epic action-adventure film is helmed by Ramesh Sippy, produced by his father G. P. Sippy, and written by Salim–Javed. Every cult classic has its legend, and behind one of India's most renowned films, Sholay , stood a man whose own life story was nothing short of iconic. Gopaldas Parmanand Sippy, fondly known as GP Sippy, was the visionary producer who brought Sholay to life. But few know that long before he became a pillar of Bollywood, he was a displaced survivor of Partition, forced to rebuild from the scratch. Born into a wealthy business family in Karachi, Sippy's life changed drastically after India's Partition in 1947. His family was forced to leave everything behind, their mansion, thriving businesses, and wealth, when they fled overnight to Bombay (now Mumbai).According to a New York Times report, the family arrived with little more than hope. In Bombay, survival was far from easy. Sippy tried various small ventures. From opening a restaurant in Bombay to selling carpets, he then moved to construction work and build some of the first apartments buildings in building a house for Bollywood actress Nargis Dutt, GP Sippy became interested in films. He tried acting for a short time and later began producing low-budget crime movies. As he mingled with Bombay's people, Sippy was often encouraged to venture into films. In 1953, he made his debut as a producer with Sazaa. While the film didn't make waves, it marked the start of his long relationship with cinema. Over the next few years, Sippy invested in several films and even dabbled in direction and acting. However, limited box office success saw him being labelled a B-grade producer. Realising the need for fresh perspective, he brought his son Ramesh Sippy back from the London School of Economics to take charge of the business. The turning point came in 1975 with the release of Sholay . Directed by Ramesh and written by the powerhouse duo Salim-Javed, Sholay redefined Indian cinema. Sholay is arguably the iconic film of Indian cinema, featuring an all-star cast led by Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and the unforgettable Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh. With a budget of Rs 3 crore, a huge sum at the time, the film introduced larger-than-life storytelling, iconic characters, and unforgettable dialogues. It ran in cinemas for five years and became a cultural phenomenon. And still is! Sippy followed this with other major productions like Shaan, Seeta Aur Geeta, Saagar (which marked Dimple Kapadia's return), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, and Patthar Ke Phoo l. His eye for narratives and commercial credibility helped shape Bollywood's golden era. GP Sippy passed away in 2007 at the age of 93. His legacy lives on not only through Sholay but how he redefined Indian cinema.
