The Legacy of Sholay

Why, legacy? because this is the only movie where every single character is more famous than any other movie. Be it the protagonists or side characters, be it villain or his sidekicks, be it a simple villager. Every single character has contributed to the success of this movie. Its the greatest story ever told in Bollywood film industry. Released in 1975, the movie became longest running Indian film in the theaters.

Do you know?
1. Sholay was India's first 70 mm, stereophonic sound film, premiered at Bombay's Minerva theater.
2. It was about to be declared a flop and removed from theaters when suddenly attendance started increasing and went on to become such a big hit that some theaters kept screening it for several years (yes, years).
3. Amzad Khan was not the first choice for Gabbar Singh's role. Initial offer went to Danny Denzongpa who was busy at that time so role went to second choice who was Gabbar Singh. I just can't think of any person other than Amzad Khan doing this role. He was destined to do this role.
4. Actor Amjad Khan was almost dropped from the project because scriptwriter 'Javed Akhtar' found his voice too weak for Gabbar Singh's role.
5. Initially Shatrughan Sinha was cast for playing Jai's role later replaced by Amitabh Bachan.
6. This was the first film in the history of Indian cinema to celebrate silver jubilee (25 weeks) at over a hundred theatres across India.
7. Amitabh Bachchan was almost killed at the end of the movie when a stray bullet from 'Dharmendra' missed him by inches.
8. The ending of the movie was changed where Thakur killed Gabbar because Indian Censor Board did not agree with the ending. A new ending was created which showed Police arresting Gabbar.

Remember Dharmendra's dialogue. This dialogue stuck to him and you could find him repeating same dialogue in every other movie.

Ek ek ko chun chun ke maroonga.chun chun ke maroonga



Another dialogue sequence (I wish I could post entire clip here):
Gabbar Singh (Amzad Khan) and his Chamchas.

GABBAR - Kitne aadami the ?
SAMBHA - Do, Sarkar..
GABBAR - Woh do the aur tum char, Phir bhi tum log wapas aa gaye...
Haramzado, Gabbar ka naam mitti main mila diya...
Iskee sazaa milegi, jaroor milegee...

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GABBAR - Tera kya hoga, re Sambha ?
SAMBHA - Maine to aapka namak khaaya hai, Sarkar..
GABBAR - To ab goli bhi kha le...

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