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First Post
7 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Sholay Turns 50: The classic Dharmendra-Amitabh Bachchan-Sanjeev Kumar blockbuster that continues to live on in Hindi cinema
The music by R D Burman, who famously sang the full-throated 'Mehbooba Mehbooba', is still recalled for not just the songs but its rousing background score that mirrors shifting moods as the film progresses When dialogues, characters and scenes become part of popular folklore, woven into the tapestry of national memory that rolls on generation after generation, is when celluloid magic happens. 'Sholay' is that film - and it doesn't matter whether you have seen the film or not. It has been 50 years since the film released, a cult classic so impactful it continues to thrive, almost a living, breathing entity evolving through time and referenced on just about any occasion. And so, a late entrant who walks into a silent conference room says 'Itna sannata kyon hai bhai' and everyone breaks into smiles. The connect is instant. The film is familiar to all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Ramesh Sippy masterpiece that melded comedy and romance, terror and tragedy was released on August 15, 1975, with a runtime of more than three hours. The response was tepid to begin with but picked up over the weeks that followed. Cinema history was being made in 70 mm. The cast was impressive with Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan and almost newcomer Amjad Khan in an explosive first major role as Gabbar Singh. But Thakur, Jai, Veeru, Basanti and Gabbar are not the only ones who have stood the test of time. A range of character artistes there for a scene or maybe two are remembered in detail. Some for their dialogues - the aged, blind father played by A K Hangal unaware that his son has been killed asking why everyone is so quiet or Mac Mohan who became famous as Samba mouthing just that one dialogue 'poore pachas hazaar' - and others for their cameos. Remember mausiji, Soorma Bhopali, 'Angrezon ke zamane ke jailer', Kaalia. Just some of the many characters populating the film, ensuring that audiences move from laughter to tears to terror in quicksilver succession, each a setpiece complete in itself. 'They have become part of Indian culture and common language. A picture made 50 years ago and till today its dialogues are used in stand-up comedy. There are its references which are used in other films and they are also used in language and even in political speeches, so on and so forth,' Javed Akhtar, one half of the famed scriptwriting duo of Salim-Javed, said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The canvas of the film was such that it just became timeless, Akhtar who penned the film with Salim Khan, said. 'It was a symphony of all human emotions. It had come without any conscious effort. It just happened,' Akhtar said. According to Amrit Gangar, film scholar, historian and curator, 'Sholay' despite its spaghetti western influences defies the Western dogma of genre. 'It is a great thali film. Thali is a typical Indian multi-rasa food plate,' he said. In his view, the only other film to have that kind of impact on public imagination is 'Mughal-e-Azam'. ''Sholay' does the magic without being grandly spectacular but it has the power of the words,' he added. Though 'Mughal-e-Azam' is a period romance, 'Sholay' is set in post-Independence rural India, not in a picturesque village of rolling greens and mustard fields but in rocky, arid and bleak landscape. Unlike many of its contemporaries, it has aged well, despite its feudal setting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The women characters shine through, be it the motormouth tonga puller Basanti (Hema Malini) or the silent widow Radha (Jaya Bachchan). The flirtatious romance between Basanti and Veeru is contrasted beautifully with the unspoken love between Jai and the white-clad widow. And both would be equally relevant today. The vengeful Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) is an upright and progressive man who wants his daughter-in-law to find love again. Salim-Javed were not just trying to stay not just with the times but were ahead of it. Their imagination gave birth to the most quoted villain of Hindi cinema. Gabbar Singh, the dacoit without a back story, redefined the word menacing. His many dialogues are endlessly recounted – 'Kitney admi they', 'Jo dar gaya, samjho mar gaya', 'Pachaas, pachaas kos…' Film historian, author and archivist, S M M Ausaja said 'Sholay' represents one of those rare occurrences when every department of the film delivered to the maximum. 'It is a curious case of everything falling into place at the right place and right time. The characterisation was very good and the kind of performances that Ramesh Sippy managed out of the stars, out of all the actors, is exemplary.' 'Plus, all the emotions are there. From comedy to tragedy, it has every emotion you can dream of.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You can meet any Indian and start discussing 'Sholay', then 100 per cent they'll have a conversation with you, said actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, also the son of Javed Akhtar. 'It's something that connects us in a weird way. It was a mainstream, entertaining film which was incredibly made for its time… Technically, it's a very superior film. It's just an amazing film that you can keep going back to and watch it from wherever you want,' Farhan said. Salim-Javed had already delivered hits such as 'Zanjeer', 'Seeta Aur Geeta' and 'Deewaar' before 'Sholay'. Many sequences have been embedded in India's collective consciousness. Fifty years on, there are still those who clamber up on water and mobile towers in protest. A hark back to Veeru's famous drunk scene when he climbs a water tower and refuses to come down until Basanti's mausi relents. Then there is the bromance between Jai and Veeru, an abiding friendship that finds expression in a coin - Jai often flips a coin to get his own way and it is only after he dies that Veeru discovers that the coin has two heads. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such is the popularity of the film that this minting error where both sides carry heads is now called 'Sholay coin'. The song 'Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge' represents their bond. The music by R D Burman, who famously sang the full-throated 'Mehbooba Mehbooba', is still recalled for not just the songs but its rousing background score that mirrors shifting moods as the film progresses. Like a shared memory passed down generation to generation, 'Sholay' too lives on.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sholay@50: Why ‘Yeh Dosti' is Sholay's most popular song today
Most films, even the biggest blockbusters, are forgotten with the passage of time. What often remains embossed in public memory are the songs. Sholay, which was released today 50 years ago, is an exception. The film is primarily remembered for its dialogues and characters. Audience repeatedly thronged to the theatres to hear Gabbar, Basanti and others. They wanted to hear one-liners such as, 'Tera kya hoga Kaalia' and 'Arre o Samba' over and over again. The dialogues of Sholay were sold in a separate album and were played on loudspeakers in cities, small towns and kasbahs for months. A generation of filmgoers can still recite them like childhood poems which you never forget. But it would be erroneous to say that the songs, written by Anand Bakshi and composed by RD Burman, were not popular. The best available barometer to gauge the popularity of a song from a 1970s Hindi film is to see its rank in the annual programme of Binaca Geet Mala. The wildly popular weekly countdown show was presented by Ameen Sayani and was broadcast every Wednesday on Radio Ceylon from 1952-1994. The annual Binaca programme of 1976 featured three Sholay songs. 'Mehbooba mehbooba' (singer: RD Burman), which was inspired by a Greek track, came sixth. 'Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge' (singers: Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar) ended up on the ninth slot and the frisky 'Koi haseena jab rooth jaati hai to' (singers: Kishore and Lata) finished 20 th . However, in an online poll carried out by TOI last week, 52% said that 'Yeh dosti' is their favourite Sholay track while only 32% opted for 'Mehbooba mehbooba'. It's true that 'Mehbooba mehbooba' continues to be a great party track. Even the Holi song is played at the festival gatherings every year. But there's something deeper about 'Yeh dosti,' the reason why it has become the ultimate ode to friendship across generations. It's simple and sincere, hummable and touching. The words ring true. Both Manna and Kishore seem to relish what they are singing. 'Yeh dosti' is a song for every reason and all seasons. Interestingly, back in August 1975, film critic Raju Bharatan, while reviewing 'Sholay' for 'The Illustrated Weekly of India', a notable magazine of its time, panned both the movie and its music. He wrote, 'There is not one song that can be singled out as a noteworthy composition. Either RD Burman has run out of ideas or he has lost the urge to create. The pivotal song, 'O jab tak hai jaan', is not only ordinarily composed but also badly rendered. ' Sholay will not figure among RD Burman's top 20 films. The very nature of the movie, an elaborately mounted action epic, did not provide an opportunity to create the score that RD was capable of. But good music always survives the ravages of time. And in the case of director Ramesh Sippy's magnum opus, songs like 'Yeh dosti' and 'Mehbooba mehbooba' bear eloquent testimonies to that. No one changes the FM channel when these songs are played. By the way, Sholay had a sixth song which was never filmed. 'Chand sa koi chehra', a qawwali, was recorded in the voices of Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Bhupinder and Anand can hear the song on YouTube.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kitne Aadmi Thhe: Music stores remember the record that changed the industry for ever
Kolkata: In 1975, the release of 'Sholay' marked a pivotal moment in Bollywood, not just for its groundbreaking action sequences but for its revolutionary approach to film soundtracks. The film's music and dialogues became a cultural phenomenon, especially in Kolkata, where fans eagerly played the LPs and EPs until they wore out. This was the first time Bollywood embraced stereo sound, offering an immersive auditory experience that captivated audiences. Shiladitya Chaudhury, a music enthusiast and composer, recalls how the soundtrack was already a sensation before the film hit theaters. Radio Ceylon teased audiences with songs like 'Koi Haseena Jab Mil Jaaye', but it was the inclusion of Gabbar Singh's iconic dialogues and RD Burman 's evocative background score on vinyl that truly set it apart. This was more than just music; it was a sonic experience that fans relished on their home record players. Polydor Records, a newcomer in the Indian market, took a bold step by purchasing the music rights from the Sippys for Rs 5 lakh, outbidding industry giant HMV. This gamble paid off spectacularly, as Polydor sold five times the number of records needed to break even, cementing its place in the industry. Prem Gupta, from the Symphony shop in New Market, noted that 'Sholay' was instrumental in establishing Polydor's reputation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata The soundtrack's success was due in large part to RD Burman's innovative use of music. His compositions were ahead of their time, incorporating French horns, eerie cello wails, and even beer-bottle percussion. The six-track stereo recording was a rarity in India, requiring meticulous coordination and international collaboration for mixing. This technical achievement transformed the Indian film music scene, setting a new standard for future productions. The release of LPs featuring the film's dialogues was another groundbreaking move. Fans were not only captivated by the music but also by the memorable lines delivered by characters like Jai, Veeru, Basanti, and Gabbar Singh. These dialogues became an integral part of the film's appeal. While 'Sholay' wasn't technically the first 70mm or six-track stereo film, it was the first to combine these elements with a blockbuster narrative. The result was a sensory feast, with every sound meticulously crafted to enhance the viewing experience. Amit Sarkar, a sound engineer, highlighted how even the fight effects were reworked in London to deliver the satisfying 'dishum dishum' that audiences loved. The film's music also broke new ground with the use of a synthesizer in 'Yeh Dosti', signaling the playful rivalry and friendship between Jai and Veeru. Nearly five decades later, the sounds of 'Sholay' continue to resonate in popular culture. From Gabbar's gravelly 'Kitne aadmi the?' to Burman's galloping themes, the film's soundtrack remains a testament to the transformative power of music in cinema. In 1975, 'Sholay' wasn't just a film release; it was a revolution on vinyl. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India.com
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Subhash Ghai betrayed RD Burman; Big B was the reason, lost it all over one song, then won multiple awards
Bollywood has always been a place where careers rise and fall overnight. Casting shakeups, sudden replacements—nothing new here. But the 80s saw one such story that left legendary composer RD Burman shattered. Subhash Ghai, the celebrated filmmaker, had once promised RD Burman a big comeback. At that time, Burman's career had already hit a rough patch. 'He was struggling to find work,' industry insiders recall. Ghai's upcoming projects, Ram Lakhan and Deva (starring Amitabh Bachchan), were his last hopes. Which film changed everything? Ghai had quietly made a decision—without informing anyone, he handed Ram Lakhan's music to Laxmikant-Pyarelal and planned Deva with Amitabh. But when a rift erupted between Ghai and Amitabh, Deva was shelved permanently. For RD Burman, the damage was irreversible. His trust was broken, and the composer known for chartbusters like Chura Liya Hai found himself jobless and dejected. Did RD Burman give up completely? The betrayal left him wandering in disappointment. Those who knew him say he was so heartbroken that 'he had almost stopped wanting to work'. Then came another chance—Vidhu Vinod Chopra approached him for 1942: A Love Story. But RD Burman initially refused. 'He didn't want to work anymore,' Chopra had revealed in interviews. It took endless persuasion for the composer to finally agree to create music for the film. What made '1942: A Love Story' iconic? When 1942: A Love Story was released with Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala in the lead, its music became a sensation. Songs like Ek Ladki Ko Dekha and Kuch Na Kaho still live in every playlist decades later. The album swept multiple awards, earning RD Burman immense posthumous recognition. Sadly, he wasn't alive to witness the love it received. A tale of trust broken, talent revived, and triumph that came too late—RD Burman's last composition remains a timeless melody born out of heartbreak.
News18
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Shammi Kapoor Nearly Turned Down RD Burman From Teesri Manzil, THIS Song Changed Everything
Last Updated: On Friendship Day, we revisit how RD Burman songs from Teesri Manzil were nearly lost — until one filmmaker's belief turned everything around. Some of Bollywood's most unforgettable songs weren't just the result of talent or timing — they were born from unexpected friendships. One such moment involved RD Burman, Shammi Kapoor and Nasir Hussain. And on this Friendship Day, there's no better time to look back at how a simple act of trust gave Hindi cinema one of its most iconic soundtracks. RD Burman Wasn't the Obvious Choice — Shammi Kapoor Had Other Plans By the 1960s, Shammi Kapoor was already a full-blown star. Known for his electrifying screen presence and unforgettable dance moves, he had strong opinions about everything — especially music. So when Teesri Manzil was being put together, Shammi wanted the music to be composed by Shankar–Jaikishan, the popular composer duo who had worked closely with his brother Raj Kapoor. He wasn't interested in experimenting with someone new. But producer and filmmaker Nasir Hussain had a different idea. He was convinced that a young RD Burman — still trying to make his mark in the industry — was the right person for the job. At that point, Burman had composed for films like Bhoot Bungla and Teesra Kaun, but he wasn't a household name yet. Getting Shammi Kapoor to agree was not going to be easy. Trying to win him over, Nasir Hussain reportedly said, 'Ek naya ladka hai. Burman Dada (S. D. Burman) ka beta. Zara sun toh lo." That one line — a gentle push to just give the music a listen — changed everything. RD Burman Teesri Manzil Songs Although hesitant at first, Shammi eventually agreed to hear Burman's music. What he heard completely shifted his thinking. The tracks were sharp, fresh, full of energy — and yet emotionally rich. Once the music was locked in, there was no looking back. The songs of Teesri Manzil went on to become classics in their own right. From O Haseena Zulfonwali Jane Jahan to Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera, every track made a mark. Songs like O Mere Sona Re, Tumne Mujhe Dekha, and Deewana Mujhsa Nahin weren't just popular — they became part of Bollywood's golden era of music. The album was so impactful that it helped Teesri Manzil turn into a major box office hit, with RD Burman's sound being one of the biggest reasons for its success. This wasn't just the start of a successful film — it was the beginning of a lasting partnership. RD Burman and Nasir Hussain went on to collaborate on at least nine films over the years. Their creative chemistry gave Bollywood hits like Caravan, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, Pyar Ka Mausam, Manzil Manzil, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, and Zabardast. A Bond That Defined a Generation of Music Looking back, it's hard to imagine what Bollywood music might have missed if Shammi Kapoor had stuck to his original choice. If not for Nasir Hussain's quiet confidence and RD Burman's talent, the soundtrack of Teesri Manzil. 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.
