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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Salim-Javed predicted that 'Sholay' will make Rs 1 crore per territory, more than Rajesh Khanna's 'Haathi Mere Saathi' which collected Rs 90 lakhs per territory: 'People made fun...'
Amitabh Bachchan , Dharmendra , Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan starrer 'Sholay' is now considered the biggest film of Hindi cinema. It's a cult and how. And just as the movie is set to complete 50 years now on August 15, here's recalling the fact that the film was considered a flop initially. Everything went against the film, people thought that the movie has lots of 'wrong' things which made it a huge flop. The end saw Amitabh Bachchan dying and the makers also considered changing the climax because it was not working. But things changed and how. In an old interview with Rajeev Masand on News18 Showsha, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar who are the writers of 'Sholay' spoke about the film and how it made history. The legendary duo Salim-Javed, was asked that when 'Sholay' initially released, it was called a flop. They were asked, 'The Sippys (Ramesh Sippy and team) also got into damage control but you guys stopped them and said nothing has to be changed." Reacting to it, Salim Khan said, "That time the maximum business was done by 'Haathi Mere Saathi', which was Rs 90 lakhs per territory. So, we just went ahead and added about Rs 10 lakhs and said, Sholay will do more than Rs 1 crore in each territory. People started laughing, making fun of us and they thought Rs 1 crore yeh all India ka total business hoga. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo But we went wrong and terribly wrong as the film actually made more than that. It made Rs 2-3 crore per territory." Javed Akhtar recalled, "A Trade magazine had taken out a supplement and said, 'Why Sholay has flopped?' They put out the reasons because everything was wrong with it. The casting is wrong, the emotions were negative, all that was written in it." Salim Khan added further, "They also said, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar unke saamne aapne ek naya villain khada kiya hai. He became the biggest villain eventually. " Akhtar chuckled and said, "A major film star who is totally devoid of sense of humour, he said you have given a negative feeling. A friend goes and destroys his friend's marriage and is this funny?" Clearly, against all odds, the movie was a huge hit at the box office and proved to be a cult. The film, its songs, dialogues and the characters are still celebrated over the years. 'Sholay' was made under a budget of Rs 3 crore and went on to earn Rs 15 crore that time. As per today's inflated prices, 50 years later, the collection would be considered much higher.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Javed Akhtar says it was a risk to cast Amitabh Bachchan for ‘Zanjeer', recalls how him and Salim Khan fought to get their deserved pay: ‘A super-duper hit film with a super-duper flop actor'
Amitabh Bachchan had seen a list of flops before he did 'Zanjeer' which completely changed the game for him. The film written by Salim-Javed ( Salim Khan , Javed Akhtar ), was followed by a string of other movies which were also penned by them, eventually making giving Bachchan his 'Angry Young Man' image. No wonder, the documentary on Salim Javed's life which released recently was titled 'Angry Young Men'. Despite 'Zanjeer' success, it wasn't easy for Salim Javed. They didn't have any work for nine months. In a recent interview, Javed Akhtar opened up on it. He said during a chat with Anu Singh Choudhary for JLF International, 'You know, our first film was Andaz. Second was Haathi Mere Saathi. Third was Seeta Aur Geeta. Fourth was Zanjeer, a super-duper hit film with a super-duper flop actor. Yes. We decided that now, enough is enough. We had given four hits in a row.' Talking about casting Bachchan in the film, he added, 'Zanjeer was a major hit. He gave a great performance. But he always gave great performances, even in those films which didn't run. He was good. That's why we took him. We were not even liking him. We could see that he was a volcano of talent, just not getting good scripts.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ทองคำกำลังทะยานขึ้นในปี 2025 — นักเทรดแนวหน้าเริ่มคว้าโอกาสกันแล้ว IC Markets อ่านเพิ่มเติม Undo He added how situations are never ideal but one has to fight for it. Javed recalled, 'You know, when we came into the film industry, writers were never mentioned on posters or banners. They were very poorly paid. There was no credit, no money. We fought. One after another, we gave films which were very good, and then we fought.' They fought for getting more money for their work which they deserved. 'We said, 'No, these are our terms and conditions. If you cannot pay us that much, if you cannot accept our terms and conditions, we will not work.' We fought. Maybe it is not very easy for everybody to fight the way we did, but at least, as a group, as a whole community of writers, you can stand up and say, 'That much, and no more.' Nobody will give you anything on a platter. Nobody gave us anything on a platter. We fought for it.' He added, 'So we decided that we will take X amount. I remember the amount. But I also remember, in the subject department… After four hit films, for nine months we could not sign a single film, because nobody was willing to pay. They would laugh in my face. 'Kitna bola?' I had bought a second-hand Ambassador for ₹13,000. That was sold again, because there was no work. But after nine months, we took that price. Again, we decided on a price. And we fought to get it. So, nothing comes easily. Don't complain. Situations have never been ideal for anybody.'
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Gave a hit with a super-duper flop actor Amitabh Bachchan': Javed Akhtar says he, Salim Khan had no work for 9 months after delivering 4 hits
Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, long known for championing the rights of writers in the Indian film industry, recently spoke about the decades-long struggle for recognition and fair compensation. In a candid conversation with filmmaker and screenwriter Anu Singh Choudhary for JLF International, Javed reflected on the systemic challenges writers have faced and the ongoing need to fight for their due. 'You see, situations have never been ideal for people. They have fought for it,' he said. 'You know, when we came into the film industry, writers were never mentioned on posters or banners. They were very poorly paid. There was no credit, no money. We fought. One after another, we gave films which were very good, and then we fought.' He recounted the early years of his career with his writing partner Salim Khan, when the duo, known as Salim-Javed, changed the landscape of Hindi cinema. 'We said, 'No, these are our terms and conditions. If you cannot pay us that much, if you cannot accept our terms and conditions, we will not work.' We fought. Maybe it is not very easy for everybody to fight the way we did, but at least, as a group, as a whole community of writers, you can stand up and say, 'That much, and no more.' Nobody will give you anything on a platter. Nobody gave us anything on a platter. We fought for it.' Reflecting on his breakthrough years, Akhtar recalled, 'You know, our first film was Andaz. Second was Haathi Mere Saathi. Third was Seeta Aur Geeta. Fourth was Zanjeer, a super-duper hit film with a super-duper flop actor. Yes. We decided that now, enough is enough. We had given four hits in a row.' He elaborated on how they took a risk by casting Amitabh Bachchan, then considered an unlucky actor, as the lead in Zanjeer, a film that went on to become a blockbuster and redefine Bachchan's career. 'Zanjeer was a major hit. He gave a great performance. But he always gave great performances, even in those films which didn't run. He was good. That's why we took him. We were not even liking him. We could see that he was a volcano of talent, just not getting good scripts.' Also Read | Javed Akhtar recalls Yash Chopra, 'messiah of the poor' Mahesh Bhatt opposing Copyright Act aimed at ending exploitation of creatives; says producers boycotted him Despite their success, getting paid what they deserved was still an uphill battle. 'So we decided that we will take X amount. I remember the amount. But I also remember, in the subject department… After four hit films, for nine months we could not sign a single film, because nobody was willing to pay. They would laugh in my face. 'Kitna bola?'' He recalled the financial strain during that period: 'I had bought a second-hand Ambassador for ₹13,000. That was sold again, because there was no work. But after nine months, we took that price. Again, we decided on a price. And we fought to get it. So, nothing comes easily. Don't complain. Situations have never been ideal for anybody.' Javed emphasized the need for collective action among writers, urging those in a position of influence to stand up for industry-wide change. 'If a few people think that something is wrong, ten of you, fifteen of you, stand up. You're a successful writer. You're not just anybody. You're successful. People like you. You will find some more people like you. Stand up. Say, 'We will not take this nonsense.' Some people will throw you out. That is for sure. Go through it. But if you think that someday all the filmmakers will stand up with a chained heart and give you what you deserve, it will never happen.' During the 1970s, Salim-Javed wrote as many as 24 films, 22 of which were blockbusters. Their influence extended far beyond iconic dialogues and unforgettable characters. They were pioneers who demanded better terms, challenged the status quo, and helped lay the groundwork for future generations of writers in Bollywood.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shriya Pilgaonkar: I don't want to be boxed into righteous roles
Shriya Pilgaonkar Shriya Pilgaonkar has steadily built a reputation in the OTT space for portraying grounded, layered characters. But with that visibility has come a growing perception — one she's now keen to challenge. In a chat with Mumbai Mirror, the actress, who was recently seen as cop Devika Rathore in Chhal Kapat - The Deception, says, 'The general perception is that I'm associated with roles that are righteous. Once I realised that, I knew I had to break it. My focus now is to be reimagined. For that, I want to work with makers who see me differently.' She shares that in an upcoming project, despite it being a guest appearance, she is playing a part very different from anything she has done so far. She says, 'People are going to say, 'Oh, how come you thought of her for it?' It's a part that's on the opposite end of the spectrum from what I've done. Something no one would have imagined me in.' On the need to break moulds and surprise audiences, she adds, 'That's what keeps me going — the attempt to get people to see me in new ways. You often get offered similar roles because you're not looked at beyond a particular genre. While I don't feel entirely typecast, I do notice shades of it in the work that comes my way.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo She further notes that she is no longer driven by the need for constant external validation. She says, 'I'm in a phase where I believe it's important to stay in your power and not constantly chase validation. That can be a slippery path. I don't know where it will go, but I'm attempting to create something for myself with like-minded people.' Shriya has appeared in films across multiple languages, including Ekulti Ek, Fan, House Arrest, Haathi Mere Saathi, and Dry Day. She has also been part of several web series such as Mirzapur, Crackdown, Guilty Minds, The Broken News, and Taaza Khabar.
India.com
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This 80-year-old actress revealed how Rajesh Khanna used to expect something in return after giving expensive gifts, if not fulfilled, then...
Indian cinema's first actor who got the title of a superstar was Rajesh Khanna. Fondly called as Kaka, the legendary actor made fans go gaga over him. In the 1980s, Rajesh Khanna's success was at full heights. He was dominating the box office with films like Anand, Kati Patang, Haathi Mere Saathi and Rakhwala. Fans always loved Kaka's romantic side, especially when it came to his pairing with actress Sharmila Tagore. However, do you know that there was a major problem between Khanna and Sharmila that tended to sour their relationship? Yes, that's correct! Scroll to read more about it. When Rajesh Khanna Expected in Return From… Rajesh Khanna was one of those superstars who would shower their co-stars with unexpected and hefty amount of gifts. However, it did not stop there only. In return, Kaka used to expect much more, and when the expectation was not met, his behaviour towards the other star would change. Yes, according to a Hindustan Times report, in the Audible audiobook Rajesh Khanna: Ek Tanha Sitara, this revelation was made by Sharmila Tagore. The actress said, 'Rajesh Khanna was surrounded by complex people and I have seen him being generous with his friends and co-stars… showering them with expensive gifts. Sometimes he would even buy them a house.' She was quick to point out how this later caused problems. 'But he expected too much in return, which caused tension in the relationship,' Tagore explained. In the same audiobook, Sharmila revealed that when she started doing fewer films with Kaka, she felt a sense of relief. She recalled incidents of her shooting with the actor when his stardom was at its peak. Sharmila said it was tough shooting with Khanna, as the schedule nicked off on time. The veteran actress said that Rajesh Khanna would never come before noon when his call time used to be at 9 am. Adding more to it, the actress said that the entire unit would feel this pressure of overtime.
