It’s hard to envision anyone other than Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra portraying the iconic roles of Jai and Veeru in Ramesh Sippy’s timeless classic, Sholay. However, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha recently disclosed that he was initially approached for the role of Jai. In a recent interview, Shatrughan revealed that Ramesh Sippy had patiently awaited his availability for Sholay, but his hectic schedule prevented him from committing to the project. He also disclosed turning down pivotal roles in other notable films such as Deewaar, starring Amitabh Bachchan, and Shor, helmed by Manoj Kumar.
Speaking to AajTak about the same, Shatrughan said, “I was offered Amitabh Bachchan’s role in Sholay. Ramesh Sippy has written this in his book. I tried to take out dates for the film but I was doing so many films. I was very busy and Ramesh ji wasn’t able to tell me fixed dates for what duration he needs me. He wanted me to block all my dates for Sholay that couldn’t be done. I feel that I should have done that film. I didn’t do it. But I also feel happy for Amitabh Bachchan, who got such a big break with Sholay and he went on to become the national icon.”
Shatrughan also expressed regret over his decision not to appear in these films, revealing that he has never watched them as a result. “Deewaar film was also offered to me but I couldn’t do it. You can call it human error par jo hogaeya woh hogaeya (what happened, happened). But I am happy for Amitabh and he did well in those films. Because I should have done those films and I didn’t do it, I haven’t watched these two films till date because I regretted my decision,” he said.
He added, “Manoj Kumar ji also wanted to cast me in Shor. He visited my house multiple times. He wanted to make the film in four months, I was giving him eight months but the film was ultimately made in 16 months. I could have done that film. I also haven’t also watched Shor. The films that I liked and couldn’t do, I never watched those films.”
Sholay and Deewaar played pivotal roles in Amitabh Bachchan’s career, catapulting him to stardom and earning him the moniker of India’s “angry young man.”
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